Regulators warn pharmacies against advertising weight-loss pills

Pharmacies have been warned they could face enforcement action if they advertise prescription-only medicines or newly-licensed weight loss pills.

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), Advertising Standards Authority (ASA), and the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) issued a joint statement stressing that prescription-only medicines or treatments cannot be advertised to the public.

The agencies said they had seen examples of businesses promoting:

• Pipeline products such as newer forms of oral and injectable weight-loss medicines as well as waiting lists for these products; and
• Newly licensed weight-loss pills that are prescription-only medicines (POMs).

The regulators said that under the UK Code of Non-broadcast Advertising and Direct & Promotional Marketing (CAP) medicines must have a licence from the MHRA before they are marketed and POMs cannot be advertised to the public.

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Given that these products are either still subject to regulatory review, or classed as POMs, referring to them by name or using language like ‘GLP-1 tablets’, ‘oral GLP-1s’ or ‘new weight-loss tablets’ is likely to breach advertising rules, the regulators said.

The agencies confirmed that this includes where waiting lists for those medicines are being advertised.

Chief pharmacy officer at the GPhC, Roz Gittins, added: ‘We will not hesitate to act where those that we register fail to meet our standards.

‘This can include taking enforcement action against the pharmacy, the owner, the superintendent pharmacist, or individual registrants. We will continue to work collaboratively with other regulators to keep the public safe.’

The warning on Friday 18 June came a week after the MHRA approved the first weight-loss pill for the UK market, with manufacturer Novo Nordisk saying it’s once-daily semaglutide (Wegovy) tablet is expected to be available via private prescription 'within weeks'.

Patients who are currently being treated privately can be transitioned to daily Wegovy tablets, but a decision on use by the NHS will follow established processes, including an evaluation by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE).

MHRA executive director of healthcare quality and access Julian Beach said: ‘Medicinal products are not ordinary consumer goods, and improper use or overconsumption may have serious health consequences.

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‘A consultation with a healthcare professional is the most appropriate way to determine suitable treatment options for an individual patient.

‘It is vital that those who are responsible for marketing of treatment services understand the rules in place to protect consumers and remember their professional duty to safeguard healthcare consultations and decision-making.’

Jess Tye, ASA regulatory projects manager, said the regulators expected advertisers to heed their warning to protect consumers and maintain a level playing field for businesses.

She added: ‘The weight-management sector is fast-moving, and we regularly see new approaches in advertising from businesses.

‘We remain vigilant to these changes and will continue to act swiftly to take action where advertisers are not sticking to the rules.’

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