Social media users warned over weight-loss jab posts

Social media users have been warned they risk breaking the law by promoting weight-loss jabs, after posts by members of the public endorsing the injections were banned by the advertising regulator for the first time.

The Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook posts used discount codes and referral links to advertise the drugs for the online pharmacies Voy, Zava, MedExpress and the online prescribing service UK Meds Direct, the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) said. Weight-loss injections are a prescription-only medicine and cannot be advertised to the public.

The ASA said this meant Britons may be promoting weight-loss medicines to friends, family, and social media followers without realising they could be breaking the rules. The posts promoted the medicines by naming them directly, using hashtags, showing images of injection pens, encouraging followers to start their own weight-loss journey and offering discounts or incentives.

ASA investigations manager Catherine Drewett said the rulings "send a clear message that affiliate marketing is not a loophole and that promoting prescription medicines through social media, whether as a brand, influencer or customer, is against the law and our rules". Voy and Zava responded by saying the posts were shared independently by customers.

Children exposed to 'extreme' products The rulings came as Children's Commissioner Dame Rachel de Souza warned children were being routinely exposed online to products that claimed to change their bodies and appearance. Some 78% of children said the ads had a negative impact on their self-esteem, with 41% of 13 to 17-year-olds seeing promotions for prescription-only weight loss drugs, according to her new report.

The report, "A healthy influence? Children's exposure to appearance-changing products online.