Social media influencers are illegally promoting 'blockbuster’ prescription weight loss jabs to their thousands of followers, many of who are desperate to lose weight, MailOnline can reveal.
The social media stars — many of who have taken the injections themselves — entice their TikTok fans with discount codes and special offers to cut the price of potent medications like Ozempic and Mounjaro.
An analysis of hundreds of these posts across Instagram and TikTok revealed the adverts may be part of disturbing money-making schemes.
Some online pharmacies are paying influencers to post the promotion — which directs customers to the pharmacy website.
UK law forbids promotion of any prescription medication. This includes sponsored posts shared on social media. Doing so could result in a fine and up to two years in prison.
The injections, which are administered weekly, are designed to help type 2 diabetes patients control their blood sugar levels or for obese people to lose weight for health purposes.
However, they can also involve worrying side effects such as pancreatitis — when the pancreas suddenly becomes inflamed — or gastrointestinal issues.
The findings come six months after TikTok cracked down on weight-loss influencers by banning the 'marketing of weight loss or muscle gain products’ on the platform.
In one video, TikTok user @.katie.k1986 shared her referral code to encourage people to start using Mounjaro via online pharmacy MedExpress with a £40 discount code
Yet, UK influencers are still flooding the app with codes to help boost online pharmacy brands’ customer sign-ups, MailOnline has found.
Some have told of the disturbing incentives offered by online pharmacies and how they have been offered free medication and money.
Health chiefs today labelled the adverts irresponsible and alarming, and urged Brits to always visit their local pharmacies for legitimate health advice.
It comes as the Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) last week warned scam online retailers posing as pharmacies were targeting vulnerable patients and may even be selling contaminated versions of the blockbuster injections.
In one video, UK TikTok user @.katie.k1986 shared her referral code to encourage people to start using Mounjaro via online pharmacy MedExpress with a £40 discount code.
Another, UK influencer @ginageemounjaro, offered her TikTok followers a 15 per cent off code for all products at Curate, a separate online pharmacy.
A third UK account, @charliewithacherryontop, who has 34,000 TikTok followers, also shared videos of the best accounts to visit, along with discount codes.
Other UK users spam the comment sections of popular influencers — who track their weight loss journeys on the jabs — with codes for up to £50 off injection orders.
@charliewithacherryontop, who boasted 34,000 TikTok followers also shared videos of the best accounts to visit with discount codes
Another, @ginageemounjaro, offered her TikTok followers a 15 per cent off code for all products at Curate, a separate online pharmacy
’Oushk Pharmacy code is 'Tanya’ £22 off every order’, one reads.
’Mine is £25 off first pen and £15 there after. Essentially £55 off with Getweightless.co.uk’, another says.
MailOnline has also found around 1,400 adverts on Meta’s Ad Library mentioning 'weight loss injections’ since January 2024.
Meta owns and operates Facebook, Instagram, Threads, and WhatsApp.
Comparable injections, at Boots or Superdrug, are sold for £199 and £195 respectively for a month’s supply.
One TikTok influencer, who boasts almost 10,000 followers, also told MailOnline he began to be approached by online pharmacies once his follower count hit the thousands.
The 31-year-old started taking Mounjaro in June — prescribed by his GP — and launched his TikTok account as a way to track his progress on the drug and share advice for others.
He said: 'These brands come to you and say „do you want to work with us”.
UK influencers are still flooding the app with codes to help boost online pharmacy brands’ customer sign-ups. Pictured, one UK account
’One who approached me didn’t message from their official account, it was from an agency who represents them interestingly.
’It said, „Hi I’m from the marketing department, we’ve seen your profile and would love to arrange a Teams chat with you to go through what we can offer you”.
’Influencers aren’t going to promote something if they’re not going to gain from it. Some have been offered actual money, others free medication I believe.
’I’m not interested. I don’t want it.’
He added: 'Every time I go on TikTok now I’m also having these codes and pharmacies shoved down my throat.
’If you go to big influencers’ comment sections it’s just all spam accounts saying „use my code, use my code, use my code”. It’s ridiculous.
’People using this medication need support from qualified pharmacists and their GPs.
’But if you’re a new user, you’re going to say „why am I going to spend £200 pounds and get a GP and maybe a nutritionist to help me manage my journey, when I could just go with this other company and get my money back”.
’It stresses me out. It’s like an MLM’
Multi-level marketing, better known as an MLM, is a sales strategy — often considered controversial — where individuals sell products to friends and family who are then recruited to do the same.
’There’s a difference between a normal MLM and a weight loss medication. If not used properly, it could kill you,’ the influencer told MailOnline.
’Some of these influencers are not doing it for the right reasons, they’re not trying to help people, they’re just trying to cash in.
’This medication can be amazing when it is used properly and responsibly.’
A spokesperson for MedExpress told MailOnline: 'At MedExpress, we strictly adhere to MHRA advertising guidelines and do not use influencers to promote prescription medications.
’We have recently seen an increase in customer referral codes being shared on social media and within online community groups.
’However, our terms and conditions have always clearly specified that public sharing of these codes is prohibited, as they are intended solely for friends and family use.
Other UK weight loss jab users spam the comment sections of popular influencers — who track their weight loss journeys on the jabs — with codes for up to £50 off injection orders
’To reinforce this, we have recently updated our terms to include an annual cap on referrals.
’We are closely monitoring the referral system and remain committed to evolving our policies where needed.’
A spokesperson for Curate, meanwhile, said: 'Curate puts patient standards and safety at the forefront of everything it does, with all patients going through rigorous consultation and evidence collection prior to any medication being prescribed.
’Curate Health has a consumer focused app in which supports people with a 360 view of their health.
’We have provided public advocates and super users with unique pricing which provides them with a lower commercial barrier to entry across our weight loss service.
’This includes access to our app, consultations with experts and clinical support throughout their weight loss journey.
’We have built an exceptional community and business around weight-loss with thousands of people benefiting from our service on a monthly basis.
’This is not something we would want to jeopardise the integrity of.
In the UK advertising prescription-only medications is in breach of both the drugs watchdog, the Medicines and Healthcare Regulatory Authority and Advertising Standards Authority rules
’We work closely with all governing bodies to ensure the appropriate positioning, care and support is adhered to at all times.’
A spokesperson for Oushk Pharmacy also told MailOnline: 'Oushk Pharmacy does not work with “influencers” to promote referral or discount codes.
’Instead, we have provided long-term patients — who choose to share their personal weight loss journeys on social media — with codes for our weight loss service as a whole.
’These codes are not associated with any specific prescription-only medication.
’We are extremely proud of the business we have built, focusing on patient education and exceptional care.
’We work closely with our governing body to ensure we not only meet but excel in all standards and regulations.
’As a customer-focused pharmacy, prioritising the safety and well-being of our patients is at the heart of everything we do, and we would never compromise that integrity for promotional codes on social media nor do we push for this.’
MailOnline has approached all other online pharmacies mentioned for comment.
In September, US fitness influencer @healthkols told her 548,000 TikTok followers that over the last year and a half she had received ’20 plus emails asking me to promote Ozempic on this page’ from online pharmacies
But the phenomenon is not limited to the UK.
In September, US fitness influencer @healthkols told her 548,000 TikTok followers that over the last year and a half she had received ’20 plus emails asking me to promote Ozempic on this page’ from online pharmacies.
She said: 'They were all from different companies. But all with a very similar budget — a large budget.
’They are asking me to make a claim that I lost 70lbs through using that medication. They are asking me to lie to sell a product to you.
’I’m also not a doctor or a pharmacist. The fact you could click a link in my bio and go buy medication is beyond me.
’If you want to take medication go to a doctor.’
She added: 'I don’t even begin to want to know the legalities behind this.
’Clearly these brands are not interested in protecting me legally if I did decide to promote this drug.’
In August, US influencer Stella Kittrell also told her 500,000 TikTok followers she was 'offered $20,000 to sell you Ozempic’
One month earlier in August, US influencer Stella Kittrell also told her 500,000 TikTok followers she was 'offered $20,000 to sell you Ozempic’ by an online brand.
She said: 'A year ago I got my first Ozempic collab offer and it was pretty nuts.
’A year ago it was $15,000 for a 15 second ad, now it’s $20,000 for a three-frame Instagram story.’
In the US, however, influencers are able to promote medicines.
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the US drugs regulator, requires that all promotion must be consistent with the FDA approved prescribing information and be truthful and non-misleading.
After being shown the findings from MailOnline’s probe, the UK’s Advertising Standards Agency (ASA) announced it had launched a probe into 'ads of this nature’.
An ASA spokesperson added: 'We have just launched proactive investigations into ads of this nature, some of which include discount offers, as part of a project-based approach to identifying and tackling problems and setting clear precedents for advertisers.
’This will be followed-up by enforcement work. If and where advertisers appear unwilling or unable to follow the rules, we’ll take further action.’
Only patients who have a body mass index of over 35, or a BMI of 30 and at least one weight related health problem like high blood pressure, should be prescribed Mounjaro on the NHS
Julian Beach, interim executive director of healthcare quality and access at the MHRA, also said: 'Prescription-only medicines – including semaglutide – cannot be advertised to the general public, as set out in the Human Medicines Regulations 2012 and the MHRA’s Blue Guide.
’The MHRA takes concerns about the illegal promotion of prescription weight-loss medicines to the public very seriously.
’We consider complaints we receive about the alleged advertising of prescription only medicines to the public, looking at each case on its own merits and, where appropriate, working with other regulators.
’We review information received carefully in line with our procedures and guidance and will take appropriate action as necessary, as outlined in the Blue Guide, in order to protect public health.’
MailOnline also understands TikTok has now removed the videos and banned the accounts after they were brought to their attention by this website.
The social media platform does not allow the trade or marketing of regulated high-risk goods and services, including prescription drugs, MailOnline understands.
Under NHS guidelines Ozempic is available on the NHS strictly for the treatment of type 2 diabetes.
Only patients who have a body mass index (BMI) of over 35, or a BMI of 30 and at least one weight related health problem like high blood pressure, should be prescribed Mounjaro or Wegovy.
Wegovy and Ozempic work by triggering the body to produce a hormone called GLP-1 that is released naturally from the intestines after meals
While private prescribers aren’t bound by this, they still need to follow general professional guidelines and consider national guidance to ensure only patients that need the drug get access to it.
Dr Leyla Hannbeck CEO of Independent Pharmacy Association described our findings as 'concerning’.
’The effectiveness of any weight loss drug is linked to personal endeavours to maintain life style choices that support weight loss,’ she added.
’Pharmacists are regulated professionals and have a legal and professional duty to adhere to the regulations.
’Many brick and mortar pharmacies are delivering weight loss management in accordance with regulatory guidelines.
’It is incumbent on the regulators, the MHRA and the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) to investigate these advertisements and the impact they have on prospective patients and the public.’
The GPhC regulates pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, and pharmacies in Great Britain.
Jasmine Shah, head of advice at the National Pharmacy Association, also told MailOnline: 'You are risking your health if you buy unlicensed medication online.
Susan McGowan, 58, from Lanarkshire, died from multiple organ failure, septic shock and pancreatitis after taking two low-dose injections of tirzepatide
’Medicines are not like ordinary goods for sale — they must be handled with great care because they have the power to harm as well as to heal.
’We urge anyone who is unsure about medicine they purchased online to speak to their local pharmacist for advice.’
The MHRA warns Mounjaro side effects could include nausea, diarrhoea, vomiting — which usually goes away over time — and constipation.
People taking the drug outside clinical trials have also reported experiencing hair loss while taking Mounjaro.
Earlier this year it was revealed the MHRA had received reports of ten deaths linked to the use of weight loss jabs in the UK and 7,228 reports of nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea associated with the likes of Ozempic and Mounjaro.
Of these, 68 patients were admitted to hospital.
A reported death or adverse reaction does not necessarily mean it has been caused by the medicine, only that someone had a suspicion it may have been.
Underlying or concurrent illnesses and other medicines the patients may have been taken at the time of their death may be responsible and such events can also be coincidental.
Last month, the UK also recorded its first death officially linked to Mounjaro.
Susan McGowan, a 58 year-old nurse from Lanarkshire, died from multiple organ failure, septic shock and pancreatitis after taking two low-dose injections of tirzepatide.
She took the jabs for a two-week period before her death on September 4. It is thought to be the first time the medicine has been listed as a contributing factor on a death certificate.
Scottish nurse, Ms McGowan, bought a prescription through a registered online pharmacy after looking into Mounjaro and seeking medical advice.
