Overview
- MHRA data show 133 suspected hospital cases linked to GLP-1 weight-loss injections in the first 11 months of 2025, up from 83 in 2024, with three deaths reported.
- Officials warn that products sold by rogue online vendors may be contaminated, incorrectly dosed or contain undisclosed ingredients, and they advise obtaining prescriptions from registered pharmacies.
- An estimated 1.5 million people bought the injections privately last year as the NHS prioritises those meeting strict criteria due to limited capacity for supervised prescribing.
- Regulators are reported to be close to approving the first GLP-1 tablet, orforglipron, a daily pill that delivered about 12% weight loss in trials and is expected to expand access and reduce costs over time.
- Doctors note common side-effects such as nausea and vomiting and rarer complications including pancreatitis and gallstones, and studies indicate many people regain weight after stopping treatment.