The United Kingdom’s health authorities are investigating weight loss drugs like Ozempic and Mounjaro after linking them to hundreds of serious health problems and several deaths.
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) is now urging people to report any side effects they experience while using GLP-1 drugs, which are commonly prescribed to help with weight loss and diabetes. These drugs, known as GLP-1 receptor agonists, include well-known brands like Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro.
According to recent reports, nearly 300 cases of pancreatitis—a painful and potentially life-threatening inflammation of the pancreas—have been linked to these medications. At least 10 people have died from pancreatitis-related issues after taking GLP-1 drugs.
Overall, 111 deaths in the UK have been reported in connection with these medications, though officials say the numbers don’t prove the drugs directly caused the deaths. Other health conditions may have played a role.
The MHRA launched a “Yellow Card” campaign asking the public to report any issues related to pancreas health after taking these drugs. This comes just days after the National Health Service (NHS) began allowing doctors to prescribe Mounjaro, a new drug from Eli Lilly. Mounjaro uses tirzepatide, a compound similar to those found in Ozempic and Wegovy.
However, NHS doctors can only prescribe Mounjaro under strict conditions. Patients must have a very high body mass index (BMI) and suffer from at least four obesity-related illnesses. Interestingly, the required BMI level can change depending on a person’s race or ethnicity.
Although many healthcare experts still believe GLP-1 drugs are safe for most people, some are urging caution. Around 1.5 million people in the UK are currently using these medications, and even a small risk can add up when so many people are involved.
Simon Cork, a physiology expert at Anglia Ruskin University, told The Independent that while the chance of getting pancreatitis is small, real-world use shows it’s something doctors should watch for. “Small percentages in large numbers means an increasing number of people developing these conditions, although they still remain rare,” he said.
Cork added that the MHRA’s warnings are not meant to scare people, but to help them make informed decisions. “For most people, these drugs are effective and safe. But it’s important that people are being monitored by their healthcare professionals in case problems do arise,” he said.
The investigation is ongoing, and the MHRA continues to gather reports as it evaluates the safety of these widely used weight loss medications.
