"Weight Loss Prizes" Raise Health Concerns on Social Media
In a disturbing trend, some unlicensed weight-loss medications are being promoted as "prizes" in social media giveaways. These substances, including retatrutide and melanotan II, have not been approved for medical use by regulatory authorities in the UK.
The giveaways often target potential customers through WhatsApp and Telegram groups, which promise "biggest giveaway yet" or claim to offer powerful weight-loss solutions. The giveaways typically require participants to add friends, follow accounts on TikTok and Instagram, or complete other low-key tasks before being eligible for a prize - usually an unlicensed weight-loss injection.
Experts warn that these digital marketing techniques can lead to serious health risks as the substances are not subject to safety checks, quality controls, or medical oversight. "Giveaways, countdown timers, and raffles" used in promoting these medications can override caution and lead people to ignore whether what's being offered is legal or appropriate.
One group, BioUK Research peptides 2, has been observed offering retatrutide as a prize in its giveaway, which experts describe as "extremely dangerous." Another company, BioBlue Cosmetics, is selling so-called "skinny jabs" under the guise of exercise programs, with administrators confirming that consumers are not signing up for workouts but are actually purchasing unlicensed weight-loss drugs.
Digital marketing techniques applied to pharmaceuticals without a license in the UK have been deemed highly problematic by experts. The owner of WhatsApp has stated that accounts breaking its messaging guidelines will be banned.
The sale of these substances through hidden-market sellers carries serious risks, as they can pose health risks and may not provide any clinical benefits or efficacy. Regulators urge consumers to exercise caution when encountering such promotions on social media.
In a disturbing trend, some unlicensed weight-loss medications are being promoted as "prizes" in social media giveaways. These substances, including retatrutide and melanotan II, have not been approved for medical use by regulatory authorities in the UK.
The giveaways often target potential customers through WhatsApp and Telegram groups, which promise "biggest giveaway yet" or claim to offer powerful weight-loss solutions. The giveaways typically require participants to add friends, follow accounts on TikTok and Instagram, or complete other low-key tasks before being eligible for a prize - usually an unlicensed weight-loss injection.
Experts warn that these digital marketing techniques can lead to serious health risks as the substances are not subject to safety checks, quality controls, or medical oversight. "Giveaways, countdown timers, and raffles" used in promoting these medications can override caution and lead people to ignore whether what's being offered is legal or appropriate.
One group, BioUK Research peptides 2, has been observed offering retatrutide as a prize in its giveaway, which experts describe as "extremely dangerous." Another company, BioBlue Cosmetics, is selling so-called "skinny jabs" under the guise of exercise programs, with administrators confirming that consumers are not signing up for workouts but are actually purchasing unlicensed weight-loss drugs.
Digital marketing techniques applied to pharmaceuticals without a license in the UK have been deemed highly problematic by experts. The owner of WhatsApp has stated that accounts breaking its messaging guidelines will be banned.
The sale of these substances through hidden-market sellers carries serious risks, as they can pose health risks and may not provide any clinical benefits or efficacy. Regulators urge consumers to exercise caution when encountering such promotions on social media.