UK ASA Bans Ads for Prescription-Only Weight-Loss Injections

The UK's Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) has banned advertisements for prescription-only weight-loss injections, including an Instagram post by reality TV star Gemma Collins promoting the Yazen weight-loss service. The ASA issued nine rulings making it clear that injectable weight-loss medications such as Wegovy, Mounjaro, Ozempic, and Saxenda are prescription-only and cannot be advertised to the public, aiming to protect consumers from undue commercial pressure and ensure safe prescribing. The crackdown targets online pharmacies and businesses exploiting grey areas to promote these medications, banning use of phrases like "weight loss injections" or images of injection pens in ads unless part of a broader service including consultations and prescriptions. Following complaints, Collins and Yazen amended the post to remove references to prescription-only medications and pledged future compliance with advertising regulations. The ASA emphasized that no one in the industry could claim ignorance of the rules prohibiting promotion of these medicines to the public, reinforcing its strategy to protect vulnerable individuals from harm associated with powerful prescription drugs.