All across the UK, millions of Brits are skipping lengthy NHS waiting lists and tight requirements and turning to private healthcare and telehealth options to access weight-loss drugs like Ozempic and Mounjaro. What first began as a medical breakthrough which could help those who needed them most, has transpired into a booming side industry which everyone has access to.
Why Are So Many Brits Turning To The Private Market?
The market for weight-loss drugs has drastically increased in recent months with an estimated 1.5 million users in March 2025 alone. The well-known weight-loss drugs like Ozempic and Mounjaro have been proven to significantly aid weight-loss with a trial of the drugs, showing some users have lost up to 26% of their body weight after use.
Data showed that roughly 1.4 million people in the UK have already accessed these drugs via private online pharmacies. But why have so many Brits opted for private markets for these drugs?
The strict NHS criteria and long waiting lists push many people to purchase through online markets. For Brits to be prescribed Mounjaro under the NHS , they must come under Tier 3 of the NHS Specialist Weight Management. It is estimated less than half of England have been able access to the drug under the NHS since June 2025. The hand-out of weight-loss drugs by the NHS does not accommodate the high demand within the UK, resulting in Brits who are seeking help to take their own measures to source the drugs.
A 51-year-old user of weight-loss drugs said “I am pleased that society now has the option of a non-invasive treatment for obesity however the cost of it is frustrating. I hope, in the future, it will be rolled out more by NHS for those who need it”. The user also stated “It would be hugely beneficial to the UK population if you could access even the lowest dose as a way of managing obesity”
Accessing weight-loss drugs through the private sector is also often quicker for users. Brits tend to seek options with less barriers so they are able to begin the treatment sooner rather than later. The NHS waiting list (as of October 2025) is up to 98 weeks for users to receive the treatment whereas, private online pharmacies generally offer services within only a few days.
Another user, 53-year-old, said “I think it is very easy to access weight-loss drugs, particularly if you have the funds however I think there should always be medical overview on these types of drugs as they have the potential to cause a lot of harm.”
Weight-Loss injections have rapidly become a large conversation on Social Media, hashtags like ‘#ozempicjourney’ have over 30,000 posts attached on TikTok. These drugs are being viewed as a trendy overnight weight loss idea rather than a medication to be taken with care. Private online markets are also actively marketing themselves on these platforms like Facebook.
The Dangers Of Using Online Private Markets For Weight-Loss
While many users report the success of weight-loss drugs and the demand for weight-loss injections has skyrocketed, so too have concerns surrounding misuse and counterfeit products as well as the unofficial online markets.
Private online sellers and online social media pharmacies have boomed since the limitation of the drugs through the NHS, these markets promise fast, easy results. An investigation carried out by Channel 4 News into counterfiet weight-loss jabs showed that no medical background was conducted before the drugs were handed out and failure to ask basic questions has raised concerns over the safety of users.
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) have since seized an estimated 39 counterfeit Ozempic pens since January 2023. There are also serious concern over the doses within the counterfeit pens as these drugs are being purchased by users without any medical legitimacy. The MHRA has issued multiple warnings about these counterfeit drugs also including Wegovy, being sold online mainly through Social Media and unofficial websites.
The Change In Weight-Loss Culture In The UK
The introduction of Weight-Loss drugs has been a turning point in British public health with tackling obesity. As the demand increases, as does the need for caution.
For years, obesity was viewed as a personal challenge which should be dealt with through dieting and exercise, however with help from weight-loss drugs, this idea is being reimagined and the conversation is changing.
This shift has real potential to reduce stigma surrounding weight-loss and obesity however it also comes with the risk of dividing those who can afford private care and those who can’t.
As it stands, the NHS are faced with the challenge of expanding a safe and fair way access to these drugs to bring back medical oversight to weight-loss drugs, while the private online markets race ahead, Brits will continue to navigate the line between seeking professional medical advice and social media influence.
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