One in seven Britons have turned to “skinny jabs” as demand for weight loss drugs explodes - far beyond what the NHS can provide, a new report reveals.
In just a few years, the weight loss injections have gone from a little-known diabetes treatment to one of the fastest-growing health trends in the UK, with millions already using them and millions more considering it, the study reveals.
A major report by The Food Foundation reveals that 8.25 million people - around 12 per cent of the UK population - have used, are using or are considering using the drugs.
Around 4.7 million people - nearly 7 per cent - have already taken them, while a further 8 per cent of adults - roughly 5.3 million people - are considering using them.
Five years ago, use was minimal outside specialist settings. Since then, awareness and demand have surged, driven by social media, celebrity endorsements and the promise of rapid weight loss.
Drugs such as Ozempic and Wegovy work by mimicking a hormone that suppresses appetite, helping people feel fuller for longer and eat less.
Some patients lose 10-15 per cent of their body weight, fuelling demand in a country where around 66 per cent of adults are overweight or obese.
But while demand has surged, NHS access remains tightly limited.
Drugs such as Ozempic and Wegovy work by mimicking a hormone that suppresses appetite
|GETTY
Although around 29 million people in England are eligible, current plans aim to treat just 220,000 people over three years, with a longer-term ambition to reach 3.4 million over 12 years.
That gap has driven a major shift towards private healthcare.
The report, based on a nationally representative survey of 6044 UK adults, estimates that around 90 per cent of UK patients are accessing the drugs privately or off-label, meaning millions are paying out of pocket - in some cases up to £2,500 a year.
Experts warn the rapid rise in use is not without risks, particularly when drugs are taken without proper medical supervision.
Side effects can include nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea and stomach pain, as well as fatigue and dizziness. More serious risks include kidney problems, thyroid cancer, heart problems, gallbladder disease, gallstones and inflammation of the pancreas.
There are also concerns about long-term use, especially as many patients regain weight after stopping treatment, raising fears of dependency.
The report warns of unsafe or unregulated use, including a growing black market and the lack of support for private users.
With demand so high, some people are turning to unregulated online sellers or bypassing proper medical checks altogether - increasing the risk of incorrect dosing or unsafe products.
Particular concern is now focusing on a new drug, Retatrutide which is being sold on the black market.
Unlike current treatments, Retatrutide targets three hormone pathways instead of one, which is why it has shown even more dramatic weight loss in trials - in some cases over 20 per cent of body weight.
However, it has not been approved for use in the UK because it is still in clinical trials, meaning its safety and long-term effects are not yet fully known.
The illegal weight loss pens have been shown to contain entirely different substances, such as insulin or even methamphetamine, which can lead to life-threatening blood sugar crashes or heart failure.
Because the products are manufactured in unregulated facilities there is also a high risk of bacterial contamination, which can cause serious infections when injected.
Analysis of seized products has shown that many contain either none of the active ingredient or highly inaccurate doses, leading to either no effect or a dangerous overdose.
The report calls for expanded access to approved weight loss drugs for those ‘who need it’ but warns the medicines are ‘not a silver bullet.’ It calls for better regulation of the ‘food environment’ so that unhealthy options are not the most accessible and affordable.
Katharine Jenner, who leads the Obesity Health Alliance - a coalition of health organisations campaigning to reduce obesity - said: “There is a real risk that those who would benefit most are the least able to access these medicines - either at all, or as intended alongside the wraparound support needed to sustain weight loss.
"Expanding NHS access is necessary, but only part of the answer. These medicines should be a reset moment to improve the food environment, while also supporting the health of people living with obesity. Lasting progress will depend on doing both."
Rebecca Tobi, head of food business transformation at the Food Foundation, said: “While there can be no doubt that GLP-1 drugs are a highly effective treatment option for those living with obesity and related conditions, significant questions remain about their long-term impact. There remain a number of gaps in the evidence base, wider unanswered questions around the potential impact on health inequities, and the risk of unintended consequences from unregulated online prescription of the drugs and their long-term use.”