Unlicensed weight-loss drugs marketed on social media as 'prizes'

Social Media Giveaways Turn Unlicensed Weight-Loss Drugs into "Prizes"

A growing trend on social media platforms has seen hidden-market promoters offering powerful, unlicensed weight-loss drugs as prizes in online giveaways. These competitions often claim that participants have only a short time to enter and that the winner will receive an unlicensed medicine without any medical oversight.

The giveaway campaigns are run by WhatsApp and Telegram groups, many of which promise "biggest giveaways yet" and offer unapproved medicines such as retatrutide – an experimental weight-loss drug not approved for use anywhere in the world. The groups often claim that participants can win these medications through random draws or contests where only a few hours are left to enter.

However, experts warn that these campaigns pose significant health risks due to the lack of safety checks and quality controls associated with unlicensed pharmaceuticals. Dr Emily Rickard, research fellow at the University of Bath, described these giveaways as "extremely dangerous" tactics used to promote powerful drugs without any clinical oversight.

Regulatory agencies in the UK have laws that restrict the sale and distribution of prescription-only medicines, including those aimed at weight loss. However, promoters using social media platforms are attempting to bypass these regulations by disguising their operations under the guise of coaching or training services.

One company, operating as BioBlue Fitness, has been found to be selling unlicensed weight-loss drugs through its platform, despite advertising it as an exercise program. Potential customers are often misdirected when inquiring about workouts and instead find themselves being referred to unapproved medications.

When confronted with the issue, administrators of this platform revealed that the system is designed to sell these substances without any regard for safety or efficacy. By applying high-pressure tactics such as countdown timers and raffles, promoters aim to encourage people to disregard caution and participate in giving away powerful medicines without proper medical oversight.

In response to concerns raised by users, Meta – which owns WhatsApp – has stated that accounts breaking the messaging guidelines would be banned. However, Telegram also explicitly prohibits the sale of unlicensed medication on its platform, with administrators actively working to remove such content whenever discovered.

As these hidden-market promoters continue to use social media platforms to give away unlicensed weight-loss drugs, regulatory agencies must take proactive steps to prevent this trend from further spreading and put safety first in protecting public health.

I'm seriously worried about people participating in these giveaways . Like, who really thinks winning a free weight loss medication is worth the risk of getting sick? These social media groups are basically playing roulette with people's health . And what really gets me is how they're using tactics like countdown timers and raffles to make it seem like there's no risk – it's just not cool, guys . I mean, can't we all just be responsible and cautious when sharing info online? We gotta think about the potential consequences of our actions .

omg have you seen these giveaways on social media where they're giving away weight loss meds like it's nothing ? i mean, come on, can't ppl just think about their health for a sec? these "promoters" are basically just peddling unlicensed meds without any medical supervision and it's crazy . what if ppl take these meds and end up with some major health issues?! and btw, who needs "biggest giveaways yet" when there's a risk to ppl's lives? these social media platforms need to step up their game and do more to stop this!

OH MY GOSH I'm literally SHAKEN by this news!!! These people are PUTTING PEOPLE'S LIVES AT RISK by giving away UNLICENSED WEIGHT-LOSS DRUGS as prizes in online giveaways. It's like they don't even care about the consequences! The fact that these platforms are ALLOWING THIS TO HAPPEN is just SICKENING. I mean, I know social media can be a wild place, but this takes the cake. I'm not sure what's more alarming - the fact that people are falling for these giveaways or that some companies are TRYING TO PROFIT FROM PEOPLE'S POOR LIVES . We need to hold these platforms accountable and make sure they're taking steps to prevent this from happening in the future. Our health is at stake here, folks!

I'm low-key worried about these online giveaways . People are getting scammed into giving away legit meds just for a chance at some "prize" . It's like, the stakes aren't even real – if you win, you're still gonna be playing with fire . And what really gets me is that these platforms know exactly how sketchy this stuff is and are still letting it go on. Meta needs to step up their game ️ and stop allowing accounts that break the rules . It's time for them to take responsibility and keep users safe .

omg u guys i cant even right now there r people out ther literally giving away meds that rnt even approved by any legit org 4 human use let alone weight loss like what r they thinkin?? this is so irresponsible & it makes me wanna scream!!1! u know whats worse tho? its not just the health risks but also the fact dat these ppl r makin a buncha cash offta people who cant even afford legit meds in the first place i mean come on Meta & telegram gotta step up & crack down on dis stuff ASAP

I'm low-key freaking out about this social media giveaways that are literally giving away unlicensed weight loss meds as prizes . Like, who needs a contest when you can just gamble with your life? The fact that these groups are using WhatsApp and Telegram to promote this stuff is wild – it's like they think nobody will notice . And don't even get me started on the countdown timers and raffles – what's next, a game of Russian roulette ?

I mean, I get it, people wanna lose weight, but come on! Can't we just talk about healthy eating and exercise habits instead? It's not that hard to find legit resources online. And when are regulators gonna step in and shut these groups down? The fact that some admins are making a killing off this stuff is just sickening .

We need to raise awareness about the dangers of these giveaways and hold social media platforms accountable for their role in enabling them . It's not too much to ask for people to prioritize public health over profits .

OMG, I'm seriously worried about people who are falling for these fake giveaways ! They're essentially playing Russian roulette with their bodies, taking meds that haven't been proven safe at all . And it's not just the winner who's at risk - think of all those others who might get scammed or have serious reactions because they took something they shouldn't have taken .

I mean, come on, folks! Don't fall for these giveaways! They're basically just a way for unscrupulous companies to make some quick cash without caring about the consequences . And it's not like you can just report them and expect someone to care - I've seen so many people getting roasted online for questioning these promotions .

We need to be more vigilant, guys! Let's support each other in spreading awareness about this issue and holding these companies accountable . We can't let these unlicensed meds become a public health crisis !

I think it's kinda harsh on the people running these groups, ya know? They're just trying to make a living online and promote products that might genuinely help people lose weight. Sure, there are some red flags with the unlicensed meds, but I'm not sure if the authorities are being too quick to shut them down without giving 'em a chance . Maybe they could work out some sort of compromise with regulatory agencies? It's all about finding that balance between innovation and safety, right? And can we also talk about how social media platforms are so easy to use? I mean, it's not like these people are intentionally trying to scam anyone... but at the same time, Meta needs to step up their game and make sure these groups aren't using their platforms for bad stuff .

this is so messed up how can people think giving away unapproved meds as prizes is a good idea? it's like they're playing a deadly game of chance with their lives... just because there are countdown timers and raffles doesn't mean its safe

"Fake news loves a good scare story But it's the truth that sets people free "

I'm worried about these social media giveaways, they're like a ticking time bomb waiting to hurt someone . We need stricter regulations and better enforcement to stop these unlicensed weight-loss drugs from being given away like prizes .

OMG, you guys! Can't believe people are actually giving away like super powerful meds on socials without even a basic medical check lol... It's like they think people are just gonna take a pill and magically lose weight . And the fact that these groups are disguising it as some kinda coaching service? Like, no one's buying that (pun intended ). I mean, who needs actual exercise when you can get some sketchy meds from a random group chat? Not me, that's for sure . Seriously though, health should be our top priority, not some quick fix or "miracle cure". Let's just stick to the tried and tested methods, shall we?

omg, can you even imagine winning a free pill that could ruin your life?! these social media giveaways are like, super sketchy! people need to be aware of the risks and not fall for it. it's so not worth getting sick or worse just to try to win something "free".

i'm glad regulators are trying to crack down on this but we gotta stay vigilant too! if you see a giveaway that sounds too good (or bad) to be true, it probably is. don't get caught up in the hype and remember, your health is worth way more than any prize

omg u guys rnt even thinkin bout the ppl who win these giveaways ! its literally like a death wish to take meds from some sketchy group without even checkin if they r safe 1st . cant believe ppl r so gullible 2 think these "prizes" r legit . whats wrong wit ur life? u need a weight loss pill or somethin? get ur facts straight before u jump on this bandwagon . regulatory agencies gotta step in & shut down these groups ASAP

I'm totally freaked out by this social media giveaway thingy! I mean, who gives away meds that aren't even approved for human use? It's like they're playing a sick game of Russian roulette with people's lives . And it's not just the health risks, but also how they're using high-pressure tactics to get people hooked on these unlicensed meds. Come on, folks! We need stricter regulations and more awareness about the dangers of this trend. Can't we just promote healthy living through fitness programs and balanced diets instead?

I'm super concerned about these giveaways . I mean, who needs social media drama when you could be risking your health? These platforms are supposed to be fun, but now they're being used for something that can have serious consequences . I get it, weight loss can be a struggle, but shouldn't we be looking at legit solutions instead of shady operators trying to make a quick buck?

And what's with the countdown timers and raffles? Can't these people see how desperate they're making their followers feel? It's just not right. And have you seen those meds being given away? Retatrutide is like, super experimental stuff that's not even approved anywhere! We can't let this trend continue without someone taking action .

I'm all for social media platforms having a say in what's and isn't allowed on their sites, but we need to hold these companies accountable too. Someone needs to step up and make sure our online safety is protected .

I'm so worried about people falling for these social media giveaways They think they're winning free stuff but really they're putting their lives at risk by getting their hands on unlicensed weight-loss drugs It's crazy that some companies are trying to profit off of people's desperation and vulnerability We need stricter regulations and more action from social media platforms to stop this trend in its tracks What if someone wins one of these "prizes" and ends up with a serious health problem?

Wow , can you believe people are giving out super powerful meds that aren't even tested on humans yet? Like, what's the rush? These social media groups need to be shut down ASAP . I mean, experts say it's super dangerous and doesn't matter if you win or not, you're still taking a risk with your health . And some companies are like "oh, we're just selling training services" ... no one falls for that! It's all about making money off people's desperation . Meta needs to do more than just ban accounts that break the rules, they need to shut down these groups altogether .