A pharmacist today warned that the “miracle” weight loss jab Wegovy is being sold illegally online.
Semaglutide is the key ingredient behind the fat-fighting loss injection that took Hollywood by storm and was recently approved for use in the NHS.
But amidst the drug’s general shortage, Dale Dennis, an OnlyFans model and personal trainer from Howden, East Yorkshire, sells 10mg packets for up to £115.
These bottles are clearly labeled as “not intended for human consumption” and his website, Raw Supplements UK, states that the drug is sold “for research purposes only”. It states that
However, on multiple social media profiles related to his business, Dennis encourages people to take pills for weight loss and directs them to his website to secure supplies.
However, some purchasers who claimed to have taken the drug have reported being “tied to a bed and vomiting” for two days.
It is unclear whether Dennis actually sells legal semaglutide or another type of substance.
He said in a social media post seen by MailOnline that he obtained “100 vials at a time” from an “American” source.
This post was created to reassure prospective customers that he isn’t offering “cheap Chinese stuff.”
Despite Raw Supplements UK’s assurance that ‘we do not provide advice on how to manage this product under UK law’, Dennis frequently does so on his social media accounts.
In one post, he says he personally takes “1.5mg” of the drug every 4-5 days and explains how to prepare it.
According to Wegovy’s official drug information, people who are prescribed start with 0.25 mg per week and then gradually increase the dosage, reaching a level of 1.7 mg per week about four months after starting the dose. .
but only by prescription And so will it be when it finally legally hits the UK market in the coming weeks.
As such, under UK law it is illegal to offer products containing semaglutide without a prescription.
Dennis also recommends taking other weight loss products advertised on his website in combination with semaglutide to burn even more fat.
Wegovy and Novo Nordisk, the drug company that makes other semaglutide drugs such as Ozempic for diabetics, say they are “unsure” if they are safe to take with other weight-loss products. .
In another post, he claims that “thousands of customers” have taken his semaglutide, and even suggests that buyers travel and try the injectable drug for themselves.
His company, Raw Supplements UK, is registered as a business involved in selling “sports equipment, fishing gear, camping equipment, boats and bicycles” and boasts on social media that it has 10 “employees”. .
Kevin Joshua, a registered pharmacist in the UK, called Dennis’ actions “incredibly dangerous and irresponsible”.
“It is a serious offense to sell regulated, unlicensed or prescription-only drugs to the public in this way,” he said.
“While there is certainly a growing demand for weight loss drugs, anyone who illegally sells these drugs may be exploiting vulnerable populations, clearly not considering their health and well-being. not.
“Prescription-only drugs are powerful and should only be taken under the supervision of a doctor, or they can lead to serious side effects or even death.”
Dennis is not a registered pharmacist, according to the UK regulator, the General Pharmaceutical Council’s database.
Raw supplements are also not on the list of websites authorized to sell medicines online operated by the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), the UK’s drug oversight agency.
An MHRA spokesperson said: ‘When you buy medicines from other than reputable suppliers, you significantly increase the risk of getting medicines that are not licensed for use in the UK, meaning that medicines do not meet our quality and safety standards. There is no way to guarantee that it is fulfilled.
“Taking such drugs can put your health at risk.
“We will work to identify those who illegally trade medicines and, where necessary, will use our powers to take appropriate enforcement action, including prosecuting those who endanger your health.” Use the.”
MailOnline reached out to Dennis for comment.
A Novo Nordisk spokesperson said: Either remove these from the internet or investigate further.
“We recommend that decisions regarding treatment options should always be made in consultation with a healthcare professional and that strict medical supervision is required.”
Legitimately, semaglutide hijacks the brain to suppress appetite, reduce calorie intake, and lead to significant weight loss.
Self-administer once weekly using a pre-filled pen directly into the abdomen, thigh, or upper arm.
The Wegovy version is specifically designed to help people lose weight, while another Ozempic branded formula is intended for people with type 2 diabetes only.
Ozempic has been available on the NHS since 2019, while Wegovy was just approved this month.
It lowers blood sugar levels and reduces the risk of heart attack and stroke in people with heart disease.
According to new recommendations released last week by the NHS watchdog, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), Wegovy will be available to people with a BMI of 35 or higher, a classification that stands for morbidly obese.
You must also have at least one weight-related comorbidity, such as type 2 diabetes, to be eligible.
Adults with a BMI between 30 and 35 can also be recommended this drug if they need professional help.
However, eligible patients for injections should only use them for up to two years.
And despite being hailed as one of the most powerful medicinal tools ever, experts warn it’s neither a “magic pill” nor a cure-all miracle.
Experiments show that users can quickly put back pounds when they stop taking a fat-fighting drug called “Hollywood’s worst-kept secret” and used by Elon Musk and others. .
Some patients say they had to stop taking the drug because of it.
Users often complain of nausea, constipation, and diarrhea after taking the drug.
