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Extra.ie
5 days ago
- Health
- Extra.ie
‘Serious alarm' over non-medical sales of weight-loss jabs
A warning from the medicines watchdog that weight-loss drugs such as Ozempic are increasingly becoming available through non-medical routes is a cause of 'serious alarm', Independent TD Carol Nolan has said. The Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) issued an 'urgent warning' in recent days about false claims being made online for sales of counterfeit semaglutide, using the HPRA logo. Last December, RTÉ Investigates examined the sale of unapproved US weight-loss medication in Ireland which revealed the extent of the booming black market in the prescription weight-loss drugs. Medical experts were especially worried about serious health risks from the use of weight-loss pens from Turkey, counterfeit semaglutide pens used as an anti-obesity medication, and unlabelled glass vials openly advertised on social media. A warning from the medicines watchdog that weight-loss drugs such as Ozempic are increasingly becoming available through non-medical routes is a cause of 'serious alarm', Independent TD Carol Nolan has said. Pic: Getty Images Ms Nolan said the most alarming feature of the official response was 'increasing concern around off-licence use and access through unofficial sources, which is not supported and poses significant safety risks'. In queries to the HSE, Ms Nolan said: 'I have been contacted by a number of people who have expressed unease regarding the potential adverse health side-effects and long-term harms that may be induced when a person uses Ozempic medication for weight loss.' In a letter to the embattled organisation, Ms Nolan also asked: 'Has the HSE conducted any research on this matter and is the HSE aware of the apparently growing international literature highlighting adverse outcomes for those who use Ozempic?' One source said: 'It is quite common and easily secured. Often it's a mother-daughter bonding before weddings and holidays' Responding, HSE manager Ann Horgan said: 'I have consulted with the National Clinical Programme (NCP) for Obesity on your question and have been informed the NCP is actively monitoring emerging international evidence on the efficacy and safety of GLP-1 receptor agonists, such as semaglutide. 'The HSE was represented at the European Congress of Obesity in Malaga in May 2025, where the use of obesity medications was discussed. When used as licensed and under clinical supervision, the benefits of semaglutide are considered to outweigh the risks for appropriately selected patients.' The HPRA said last week it had seen a 'surge' in misleading website activity in May alone. It said: 'The websites, which are hosted outside of Ireland by the e-commerce platform Shopify, are being directly prompted to consumers via fake Facebook profiles and ads.' Pic: Getty Images Commenting on the concerns, Ms Nolan said: 'I would urge everyone who is considering going down the Ozempic route to limit their engagement to medical professionals prior to embarking on a course of medication. 'I understand there may be a sense of urgency among some people and a sense that they do not have time to wait in terms of accessing a massively over-burdened primary care and hospital service. But the dangers are real and cannot be ignored. 'I would also highlight our need to dramatically ramp up our detection capacity in terms of taking any illegal consignments of Ozempic out of the public space. 'We are all aware of recent media investigations on this issue and still the problem appears to be escalating. 'That is deeply alarming given the potential for such dire health outcomes for people who may be drawn in by ruthless individuals who couldn't give a damn about what impact unregulated medication access causes
Irish Independent
06-05-2025
- Health
- Irish Independent
New adult ADHD team for Waterford and south east announced
Health Minister Mary Butler TD also confirmed the commencement of recruitment for the multidisciplinary team. The new adult ADHD team will service the integrated healthcare areas (IHAs) of Waterford, Wexford, Carlow, Kilkenny, and south Tipperary. The team will be multidisciplinary, with a consultant, psychologist, occupational therapist, clinical nurse specialist and administrative support. Recruitment is underway with the team expected to become operational later this year. The team will work with adults with ADHD to assess and manage their ADHD, providing person-centred and responsive supports. Ms Butler said: 'Prior to the inception of the National Clinical Programme (NCP) for Adults with ADHD which I launched as minister in 2021, there were no specific ADHD public services available for adults in Ireland. 'The National Clinical Programme for Adult ADHD is now being implemented across the country by multidisciplinary teams on a phased basis, with seven teams already operational. In Budget 2025, I secured the funding to complete the roll out of the programme and bring ADHD teams to all areas of the country, including the south east. 'The Adult ADHD team will be based at St Johns Primary Care Centre in Waterford, and will be a really significant new service for adults with ADHD living in the region.' Separately, progress is underway to establish a youth mental health service for Waterford and the south east. Ms Butler met with Waterford Comhairle na nÓg members in Government Buildings to update them on the status of the project. The Waterford TD has reiterated her intention to secure a youth mental health service for Waterford and the south east at a meeting with members of the Waterford Comhairle na nÓg this week. Ms Butler invited the delegation from Comhairle na nÓg to her office in Government Buildings last week where she confirmed her office had received a formal proposal from Jigsaw in recent weeks to establish a youth mental health service for Waterford and the south east. In addition, the minister confirmed she has invited proposals from other relevant organisations including Mental Health Ireland, the NGO behind the Mindspace youth mental health service in Mayo. ADVERTISEMENT Learn more The minister also shared with the Comhairle na nÓg members that work to secure a suitable premises for a youth mental health service had begun with the chief executive of Waterford City and County Council. Ms Butler has shared her intentions to establish the service with the HSE IHA manager for Waterford and Wexford, Dr Sinead Reynolds. Ms Butler said she intends to secure the funding for a youth mental health service for the south east in the upcoming budget estimates process for 2026. 'I am determined to establish a youth mental health service for the young people of Waterford and the south east,' she said. 'I believe every young person should have access to an early intervention service for mild and moderate mental health issues. 'I commend the members of Waterford Comhairle na nÓg for their advocacy and support for this project and I am very grateful to them for meeting with me this week where I was able to hear directly from them about the issues facing young people in Waterford, particularly in relation to school stress and bullying. 'I have received a proposal from Jigsaw, and I have also met with Mental Health Ireland to hear more about their model of service provided by the Mindspace youth mental health service in Mayo. 'I have also spoken to the new chief executive of Waterford City and County Council to explore securing a suitable premises for the proposed new service. 'I am evaluating all of the options available to me as minister in how best to provide a youth mental health service for Waterford, and also other areas of the country where a service has yet to be established. 'It is my firm intention, as minister for Mental Health, to secure the funding for a youth mental health service for Waterford and the south east in the budget estimates process for 2026,' added Ms Butler.
