Almost one in 10 people in Britain say they would consider buying weight-loss injections through social media platforms such as Facebook and TikTok if they were unable to obtain a prescription from a doctor or pharmacy, according to a new survey.
The findings come as health leaders raise fresh concerns about the dangers of purchasing weight-loss drugs online, warning that unregulated sellers are exploiting growing demand—particularly as pharmacists anticipate a spike in interest at the start of the new year.
The poll of 2,161 adults, conducted by Ipsos for the Press Association, found that 26% of respondents would only use weight-loss injections if prescribed by their GP, while a further 16% said they would only take the drugs if supplied by a registered pharmacy, either online or in person.
However, 9% said they would be willing to buy the medication via social media platforms, and 5% said they would purchase it online from retailers that are not registered manufacturers or pharmacies. An additional 4% said they would obtain the injections from friends or family members who were already using the drugs.
Dr Claire Fuller, national medical director at NHS England, warned that people setting weight-loss goals as part of their New Year’s resolutions should avoid “quick fixes” promoted online.
“We are concerned about reports of unverified sellers and individuals advertising weight-loss injections or diet aids on social media, offering medicines without any clinical oversight, medical checks or follow-up care,” she said.
“The absence of proper supervision can put people’s health at serious risk, and there may also be serious concerns about the quality or authenticity of these products. Weight-loss drugs are powerful medicines and can have significant side effects, which is why they must only be prescribed by appropriately trained healthcare professionals.”
Her comments echo recent warnings from the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), which has urged people not to buy weight-loss products, including GLP-1 medicines, from unregulated websites or social media accounts. The regulator said illegally sold products may be counterfeit, contaminated, incorrectly dosed or contain undeclared ingredients, all of which can lead to dangerous side effects.
The Ipsos survey also highlights the rapid rise in awareness and use of weight-loss injections. The proportion of people who have either taken the drugs themselves or know someone who has done so has more than doubled over the past year, from 13% to 28%.
Nearly a third of respondents (30%) said they would consider using weight-loss injections if they were provided by the NHS, compared with just 11% who said they would take them if they had to pay a private provider.
The NHS began rolling out Mounjaro—often described as one of the most powerful weight-loss drugs currently available—in March last year. Over the next three years, the health service expects around 240,000 people to receive the treatment.
Dr Fuller said demand for the new medicines has been high, but stressed that injections are not the only option available. “The NHS continues to explore ways to expand access and offers a wide range of safe and effective weight management support that does not involve injections, helping hundreds of thousands of people lose weight safely and sustainably,” she said.
She added that anyone seeking weight-loss treatment privately should ensure it is provided by a qualified and experienced healthcare professional who can clearly explain both the benefits and risks.
Meanwhile, the National Pharmacy Association (NPA), which represents around 6,000 independent community pharmacies across the UK, warned that demand for weight-loss injections is likely to surge at the beginning of 2026, increasing the risk of illegal sales.
A separate YouGov survey of 2,074 people found that 6% of adults are likely to use weight-loss injections in the coming year—equivalent to around 3.3 million people, according to NPA analysis. Among those aged 25 to 49, the figure rises to 9%.
NPA chairman Olivier Picard said criminals could seek to exploit New Year’s resolutions. “We expect a surge in patients looking to start weight management treatments in the new year,” he said. “However, there is a real risk of unscrupulous fake sellers trying to cash in.
“Unregulated sellers are not only breaking the law, they can cause serious harm to your health. With scams becoming increasingly sophisticated, it is vital that people only obtain these treatments from regulated pharmacies, whether online or on the high street.”
He added that community pharmacies can offer structured support, lifestyle guidance and ongoing care to help patients achieve safe and sustainable weight loss where they are eligible for treatment.
