The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) have warned promotions that glorify prescription-only weight-loss medications will be banned.
The internet is an incredibly dangerous place, especially when it comes to weight-loss advertisements. With this in mind, the ASA have cracked down on a host of weight-loss jab providers for promoting the prescription-only medications.
Back in December, the watchdog issued a warning to businesses and individuals who were targeting members of the public with ads for the medicines. They made it ‘crystal clear’ that all injectable forms of weight-loss drugs were prescription only and therefore could not be advertised to the general public. However, this week the ASA banned a number of advertisements, including an Instagram post from TV star Gemma Colins, that failed to follow guidelines.
Colins posted a video on the popular social media app on 6th January 2025 where she said: ‘I’m starting this year two sizes down, thanks to Yazen’s weight loss app and medication. It’s really quick and easy to get started with Yazen, it has absolutely changed my life…I finally found something that actually I lose weight on.’
She continued: ‘I’m not telling anyone to go on this medication, but it is prescribed on the NHS.’
The post has now been amended and now makes no reference to prescription-only medications and going forward, Yazen said they would ensure any future posts are compliant with advertising code.
In similar vein, the ASA have also axed an ad for prescription-only weight-loss medication that was posted by CheqUp. The ad read: ‘No GP or pharmacy visit, just a two-minute online consultation.’
To give context about how damaging these advertisements can be, the latest research from Beat outlined 96% of people with lived experience of an eating disorder found digital weight-loss promotions to be harmful. What’s more, taking these medications without a prescription can cause long-term health complications.
News of the advertisement crackdown has come less than a month after the weight-loss drug Mounjaro has begun being rolled out on the NHS.
Iona Silverman, intellectual property and media partner at Freeths, said the ASA’s ‘tough’ intervention is more than needed.
‘Although companies aren’t allowed to advertise prescription-only medicines, some have tried to get around the rules by promoting consultations instead,’ Iona said. ‘The ASA made it clear that it will work with online platforms to stop ads that mention the names of these medicines. It’s also targeting influencers who use vague language or offer discount codes to promote the jabs indirectly. Even buying Google ads for specific brands is now under tighter control.
‘Recent rulings against influencers and advertisers show the ASA is serious about cleaning up this space. Anyone who continues to break the rules could face an investigation by the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), which has the power to issue heavy fines.’
Photo by Joachim Schnürle via UnSplash
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