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Daily Record
5 hours ago
- Health
- Daily Record
Urgent contraception warning issued to 'skinny jab' users for one key reason
Weight-loss injections have become incredibly popular in the past year - but the government has warned that they can interact with contraception in new guidelines The government has issued a warning for women taking weight-loss injections and urged them to use effective contraception. A new notice from the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency said that one type of injection, Mounjaro, may reduce the effectiveness of oral contraceptives (the pill) in those who are overweight. Therefore, anyone taking Mounjaro who could get pregnant, should also use a non-oral form of contraception such as the implant, coil, or condoms. This is especially important for the four weeks after starting the injections and after any dose increase. The official government advice says: "Mounjaro may reduce the effectiveness of oral contraceptives in those who are overweight. Therefore, those taking Mounjaro who are overweight and are using an oral form of contraception are advised to also use a non-oral form of contraception. "This only applies to those taking Mounjaro and is especially important for the four weeks after starting Mounjaro and after any dose increase." Weight-loss drugs must also not be taken during pregnancy, while trying to get pregnant, or during breastfeeding. If you get pregnant while on the injections, you should speak with your healthcare provider and stop the medicine as soon as possible, the government advised. It explained: 'This is because there is not enough safety data to know whether taking the medicine could cause harm to the baby.' Dr Alison Cave, MHRA chief safety officer, said: 'Skinny jabs are medicines licensed to treat specific medical conditions and should not be used as aesthetic or cosmetic treatments. They are not a quick fix to lose weight and have not been assessed to be safe when used in this way.' The new guidance also reminded patients that weight-loss medications should not be bought from unregulated sellers such as beauty salons or via social media. This exposes people wanting to lose weight to 'serious health risks' and is against the law. Legitimate medicines will be provided in pre-filled injection pens - meaning that products supplied as a powder in vials that need to be mixed with a liquid before injection are not authorised. There have also been reports of fake pre-filled pens that appear similar to the licensed medication. The MHRA warned that while these may look genuine, they 'can also be dangerous', adding: 'The only way to guarantee you receive a genuine GLP-1 medicine is to obtain it from a legitimate pharmacy, including those trading online, with a prescription issued by a healthcare professional.' The guidelines also highlighted the importance of being able to recognise symptoms of acute pancreatitis - an uncommon complication that can develop. If you are on weight-loss injections and suddenly get severe pain in your abdomen and feel sick, you should seek immediate help. Dr Cave said: 'This guidance should not be used as a substitute to reading the patient information leaflet or having a conversation with a healthcare professional as part of the prescribing process.' If you are taking a GLP-1 medicine and are set to undergo a surgical procedure, you should inform your healthcare team. This is because the medicine slows the emptying of your stomach, which increases the risk that stomach contents could enter into your airway and lungs during surgery.
Channel 4
28-05-2025
- Health
- Channel 4
‘Time is muscle' – children trapped in postcode lottery for life-extending drug
In the Duchenne community they say time is muscle. So the clock is always ticking for the loved ones of those suffering with this form of muscular dystrophy . Six months ago those families were given hope – only for it to be dashed. Duchenne causes progressive muscle degeneration and weakness. Becoming non-ambulatory – not being able to walk – can happen anytime between the ages of 8 and 12. People with Duchenne live into their twenties and thirties on average, but access to better treatments and care can help extend their lives. And in December, there was potential good news when the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (the MHRA) approved a new drug. Givinostat is the first drug to show a slowing down of that degeneration – to give boys – and it is mainly boys affected – longer literally on their feet. And the drug company that makes it said it would provide it to patients free. But Channel 4 News has found that across England though hospitals are either delaying or are refusing to give the new treatment. This has become a postcode lottery. Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) has said it will begin to treat Duchenne boys next week with the drug, but said its introduction has been challenging at a time when resources across the whole NHS are more stretched than ever, and they are working hard to identify the funding required. In South London, at the Evelina children's hospital, they have told parents treatment will begin in late summer. Meanwhile other centres have not even gone that far – and patients are left waiting to see if they will get the drug at all. We spoke to Alex Clarke, whose son Ben has Duchenne. Their local trust, Oxford University Hospitals, has told families that despite the drug itself being provided free, they cannot afford to use it to treat their patients. Channel 4 News has now seen internal emails from the Oxford Trust, discussing the potential costs of introducing the drug. Professor Andrew Brent, the trust's medical officer, writes: 'Unfortunately, however, given the current financial climate and the expectation … to make significant savings, we are not in a position to fund services/treatments that are not nationally approved without stopping doing something else.' The trust's chief finance officer responded, stating: 'It is not our job to fund new medicines that are not NICE approved.' Later in a statement Professor Brent said: 'It is a measure of the importance we place on Givinostat that we have been working on a business case before the drug has been approved by NICE. We will continue working towards being able to offer the treatment once approved by NICE, as we hope it will be.' That business plan seen by Channel 4 News said it will cost just over £66,000 for about 35-40 patients. While waiting for evaluation, and hopefully approval, from the National institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), patients can be treated under the early access programme. This was set up at the same time as the MHRA approval but it took until March this year for the first trust to agree – that was the Leicester Royal Infirmary, followed by Cardiff and Swansea. Under the early access programme trusts have to pay out of their own budget for the administration and monitoring of the drug. In March, parents met with the Health Secretary Wes Streeting but today the Department of Health and Social Care said: 'We are aware of the immense challenges faced by people living with rare diseases such as Duchenne's muscular dystrophy, and their families. 'The department is committed to supporting access to specialist care, treatment and drugs for those with these conditions.' It would appear their hands are tied. Progressive MS patients given new hope in world first drug trial Batten disease: Fears drug treatment may be withdrawn New HIV drug 100% effective – but why does it cost $40,000?
ITV News
23-05-2025
- Health
- ITV News
How skinny jabs could invalidate your holiday insurance
An explosion in the skinny jab black market has led to warnings about their safety, the risk of counterfeits, and how taking prescription medication without it being signed off by a doctor can have unintended consequences. One area this could catch people out is how taking these drugs abroad could impact someone's travel insurance. Stories of people having their insurance suddenly revoked once their provider had found out they were taking one of the jabs have been popping up in forum posts across the internet. Drugs like Wegovy and Mounjaro are prescribed on the NHS for people with obesity, but interest among healthy people about their potential weight-loss benefits has led to a surge in demand for them. They can not be legally purchased without a doctor recommending them to a patient, but this has not stopped a booming marketplace for them from appearing on the internet. Recently, ITV News was able to purchase skinny jab pens via an Instagram account, which had posted some of the videos, and tests later revealed the substance was unfit for human use. Numerous health bodies have warned against them being taken for "aesthetic" reasons. The Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency said last year, the "benefits and risks of using these medicines for weight loss by individuals who do not have obesity or who are not overweight with weight-related comorbidities have not been studied." With most of these drugs requiring a once-weekly injection, many people who choose to take them may assume they can easily take them abroad so they do not miss a dose while on holiday. But this is not the case, Ozempic, Mounjaro or any of the other weight loss jabs are serious medications, and they should not be treated like paracetamol or something you can just buy over the counter. The Association of British Travel Agents told ITV News it is always advisable to check with the FCDO travel advice to see if there are any restrictions in place when taking medications into the country you are visiting. Not every country in the world has approved the same weight-loss drugs as the UK has, and airport officials may have questions about any medication they find, especially if it is not approved in their country. What happens if you don't inform your provider that you take one of the jabs? There are two key answers here, and it depends on whether the drug is being taken as part of a preexisting condition or if it is being taken for personal reasons only and has not been prescribed by a doctor. First of all, you need to declare a pre-existing condition to your travel insurance provider anyway. This will likely result in a higher premium, but if you do not and the provider finds out, they may cancel your cover. They will also likely refuse to pay out if you fall ill due to the condition while on holiday. If one of the jabs has been prescribed for the preexisting condition they it is unlikely you will need to also reveal the medication you are taking for it. Where it is less clear cut is if the drug is being taken and it has not been prescribed. If the drug causes side effects to the user without it being prescribed, and medical attention is needed, then an insurance provider may refuse to pay to cover the cost. They could go as far as cancelling the insurance altogether, but this will vary from provider to provider. What have travel provider insurers said? ITV News asked several major travel insurance providers what their stances were on customers taking Ozempic, Wegovy or Mounjaro, and they warned against keeping it secret, but had different views on whether it would outright invalidate any cover they provide. Admiral told ITV News that not declaring the medication itself won't invalidate the insurance, but failing to disclose the underlying condition it is prescribed for would. They said if someone was taking it without GP advice, "not disclosing it to your travel insurer could impact your cover if side effects lead to a claim." Alan Dean, Managing Director of travel insurer, CoverForYou, told ITV News: "Taking prescription medication without a prescription is both illegal and potentially dangerous, therefore, taking any prescribed medication without a prescription would also invalidate your insurance. "To be really clear, any claim directly or indirectly caused by you taking prescribed medication without a prescription would be invalid. "It's also worth noting, if you're taking prescription medication out of the UK, you should check the rules of the country you're going to. "You may need to prove it's yours with either a prescription or letter from your doctor." Aviva said: "Our policies require customers to inform us of any diagnosed illness, disease, or injury for which they have been prescribed medication; received or are awaiting tests/investigations; been under or are still under a specialist, or have been admitted to hospital or had surgery. "This includes anyone who has been prescribed weight loss medication - such as Ozempic or Mounjaro - for obesity. If a customer fails to disclose a medical condition - such as obesity - for which they've been prescribed medication, we will not cover any claims relating to this under the terms of the policy."
ITV News
22-05-2025
- Health
- ITV News
Three arrested in Selby after 'skinny jab' leaves woman in intensive care
Three women have been arrested after another woman ended up in intensive care following a weight-loss injection. Two women, aged 32 and 37, were arrested on suspicion of administering a toxic substance. They have been released on bail. A third, aged 58, was arrested on suspicion of selling or supplying a prescription-only medicine. She has been released under investigation. All three, who are from Selby in North Yorkshire, were questioned after a woman had to be treated for internal injuries after using a jab allegedly given to her at a salon in the area. Two other people are also known to have become unwell. A North Yorkshire Police spokesperson said: "The investigation remains ongoing and we urge members of the public to follow the advice from health professionals on the safe use of these products." Health officials say buying products from unregulated suppliers greatly increases the risk of becoming unwell. Andy Morling, director of criminal enforcement at the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency said: 'Weight loss medicines are powerful medications and should only be used under the supervision of a qualified healthcare professional. 'Buying so-called weight loss medicines from illegal suppliers significantly increases the risk of receiving products that are either falsified or not licensed for use in the UK." Some anti-obesity medicines, including well-known brands like Ozempic and Mounjaro, have been tested in clinical trials but are only available on prescription. Laura Angus, of the NHS Humber and North Yorkshire Integrated Care Board (ICB), said: 'There has been a lot of attention in the media and on social media about these so-called 'skinny jabs', but as with any medicines bought outside of legitimate supply chains, the contents may not match the ingredients on the label. 'If you use such products you could be putting your health at serious risk." North Yorkshire Council's executive member for health and adult services, Cllr Michael Harrison. added: 'We would encourage people to pursue their health goals in a safe way."
India Today
13-05-2025
- Health
- India Today
This inhaler not just helps with COPD but is also climate-friendly
A new inhaler that treats chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and also helps reduce environmental harm has been approved for use in the UK. This inhaler is already available in Trixeo Aerosphere, known as Breztri Aerosphere in India and other countries, is a triple-combination inhaler used to manage makes this significant is that the latest version of the inhaler is now made using a new type of gas (called a next-generation propellant) that does not contribute much to climate Specifically, it has "near-zero Global Warming Potential (GWP)", which means it releases almost no greenhouse gases into the atmosphere when used unlike older inhalers, which use gases that are harmful to the change dramatically cuts the device's environmental UK's Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) gave approval for this improved version of Trixeo after trials showed that the new propellant works just as well as the older new version uses a compound called HFO-1234ze(E), which has 99.9% lower GWP than the traditional propellants used in most pressurised metered-dose inhalers (pMDIs).Ruud Dobber, Executive Vice President of AstraZeneca's BioPharmaceuticals division, said, 'We're addressing the needs of both patients and the environment. Trixeo with the new propellant is just the start.'This move aligns with growing concerns about climate change and the healthcare sector's role in reducing emissions. Inhalers like pMDIs are widely used across the world. While they are crucial for managing respiratory diseases, their traditional propellants contribute to greenhouse gas emissions. In fact, pMDIs make up 78% of global inhaler use and account for 3% of the NHS's carbon footprint in the metered-dose inhalers are essential for millions living with respiratory diseases. The shift to a low-GWP inhaler means patients don't have to choose between the best treatment and protecting the environment," said Omar Usmani, professor at Imperial College too, has access to this innovation. AstraZeneca Pharma India received approval from the Drugs Controller General of India to import and market Breztri Aerosphere, which has been available in India since January affects over 55 million people in India and is a leading cause of death. Many patients rely on inhalers for daily symptom management. The introduction of a more sustainable inhaler could benefit both public health and the company aims to convert all its pressurised inhalers to this next-gen propellant by 2030 as part of its 'Ambition Zero Carbon' strategy. In the UK, the updated inhaler will begin rolling out in the coming disease control leads to fewer hospital visits and less strain on healthcare systems, ultimately lowering carbon emissions from medical India already having access to this inhaler, it could encourage wider adoption of eco-friendly medicines in the country.
