Unlicensed weight-loss drugs are being handed out as prizes in online giveaways, with powerful medicines unlicensed in the UK serving as the main attraction. The practice is a stark reminder of the dangers of unchecked digital marketing techniques and their application to pharmaceuticals.
On WhatsApp groups and Telegram channels, promoters are running "giveaway" competitions where participants can win injections of substances such as retatrutide – an experimental weight-loss drug that has not yet been approved for use anywhere in the world. These giveaways often come with a time-sensitive twist, with entrants being given only 24 hours to claim their prize.
Experts describe this practice as "extremely dangerous", warning that these digital marketing techniques are being applied to pharmaceuticals without proper regulation or oversight. The substances being promoted are tightly regulated medicines rather than harmless supplements, and advertising or distributing prescription-only or unlicensed medicines through social media competitions is a clear breach of medicines regulations.
The giveaways often take the form of coded messages, where users may be directed to join online coaching platforms under the guise of fitness programs. In reality, these platforms serve as frontmen for the sale of unlicensed weight-loss drugs. For example, a "fitness coach" named Rita might be used as shorthand for retatrutide.
The use of digital marketing techniques to promote powerful injectable drugs poses significant safety risks, as these substances are not subject to safety checks, quality controls or medical oversight. The fact that some promoters claim their services are "100% free to enter" and require only a minimal amount of effort from participants is also concerning.
Regulators are stepping in to crack down on this practice, with Meta stating that the sale of illegal medication is explicitly forbidden by its terms of service. Telegram has also taken action, routinely removing content related to the sale of unlicensed medicines whenever discovered. However, it remains to be seen whether these efforts will be enough to curb the spread of these giveaways.
As one expert noted, "Giveaways, countdown timers and raffles are classic pressure tactics designed to override caution... This not only trivialises the use of unlicensed medicines but actively discourages people from stopping to ask whether what's being offered is legal or appropriate." The practice poses a significant threat to public health, and it is essential that regulatory bodies take swift action to address this issue.
On WhatsApp groups and Telegram channels, promoters are running "giveaway" competitions where participants can win injections of substances such as retatrutide – an experimental weight-loss drug that has not yet been approved for use anywhere in the world. These giveaways often come with a time-sensitive twist, with entrants being given only 24 hours to claim their prize.
Experts describe this practice as "extremely dangerous", warning that these digital marketing techniques are being applied to pharmaceuticals without proper regulation or oversight. The substances being promoted are tightly regulated medicines rather than harmless supplements, and advertising or distributing prescription-only or unlicensed medicines through social media competitions is a clear breach of medicines regulations.
The giveaways often take the form of coded messages, where users may be directed to join online coaching platforms under the guise of fitness programs. In reality, these platforms serve as frontmen for the sale of unlicensed weight-loss drugs. For example, a "fitness coach" named Rita might be used as shorthand for retatrutide.
The use of digital marketing techniques to promote powerful injectable drugs poses significant safety risks, as these substances are not subject to safety checks, quality controls or medical oversight. The fact that some promoters claim their services are "100% free to enter" and require only a minimal amount of effort from participants is also concerning.
Regulators are stepping in to crack down on this practice, with Meta stating that the sale of illegal medication is explicitly forbidden by its terms of service. Telegram has also taken action, routinely removing content related to the sale of unlicensed medicines whenever discovered. However, it remains to be seen whether these efforts will be enough to curb the spread of these giveaways.
As one expert noted, "Giveaways, countdown timers and raffles are classic pressure tactics designed to override caution... This not only trivialises the use of unlicensed medicines but actively discourages people from stopping to ask whether what's being offered is legal or appropriate." The practice poses a significant threat to public health, and it is essential that regulatory bodies take swift action to address this issue.
! It's like they think people are just gonna roll over and get injected with some random weight loss meds without even doing their research 
. I mean, come on, if you want to lose weight, that's one thing, but you gotta be responsible about it, you know? These giveaways are just a recipe for disaster 
. And don't even get me started on how Meta and Telegram can do better to stop this stuff 
. It's not like these companies haven't had enough warnings, yet they keep letting it slide 
. The fact that they're targeting people who are already vulnerable, trying to make them feel like they need some quick fix 
, it's just so messed up 
. We gotta take a stand and demand better from our social media giants 
.
I'm really worried about these online giveaways for unlicensed weight-loss meds 
... It's like people are trying to gamble with their health 
. These digital marketing tactics are just plain shady 
, but at the same time, who wouldn't want to win free stuff? 
Like, I get why regulators need to crack down on it, but aren't some people just trying to make a quick buck and have no intention of harming anyone? 
But then again, can we really trust those online groups and channels not to be scammers or something? 
? I mean, I've heard of dodgy websites and fake ads before, but this is on a whole different level 
. These promoters think they can just throw around some flashy language and get people hooked with promises of weight loss and quick fixes 
. And what really gets my goat is that these are actually powerful medicines being handed out like freebies 
. I hope the authorities step up and shut down these giveaways ASAP 
... I mean, can you imagine if someone won that retatrutide thing and it messed them up seriously? The whole thing is so shady 
... like what even is the rush to claim something that might literally kill you? And don't even get me started on those "fitness coach" names