Adverts for weight loss pills 'first to be banned'

The UK Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) has banned ads for oral weight loss medicines after finding they promoted prescription-only products to the public before proper authorization rules were met. The ASA ruled that Simple Online Pharmacy advertised oral GLP-1 treatments through social media and its website, including a call to join waiting lists, register interest, and pre-order. It found the ad, seen on June 1, promoted oral GLP-1 treatments before such medicines were authorized in the UK. The first oral GLP-1 tablet for weight management was licensed as prescription-only on June 11, meaning no UK marketing authorization existed before then. The ASA also banned Pharmacy Online ads for an oral Wegovy tablet and issued additional rulings against MedExpress, Juniper and Care Pharmacy for promoting prescription-only medicines, even without naming products directly. The watchdog said it will keep monitoring ads and work with MHRA and the GPhC.