Latest news with #RebeccaBarry
ITV News
6 days ago
- Health
- ITV News
Patients left in tears as NHS GPs fail to prescribe obesity jabs
ITV News Health Correspondent Rebecca Barry and Senior Producer Helena Lambert expose delays in the NHS roll-out of weight-loss drugs The vast majority of GPs in England are not prescribing weight-loss injections on the NHS despite the medication being approved for use, ITV News has found. Since June, general practitioners in England have been allowed to prescribe Mounjaro to severely obese people who have related health problems. At the time, the Health Secretary Wes Streeting described it as an "important step", bringing "revolutionary modern treatments to everyone who needs them, not just those who can afford to pay". But exclusive research conducted by ITV News has found that only four local NHS health systems in England are making the medication available to patients through GPs. Suzanne Hall from Southport feels let down by the NHS over the delayed roll-out of the drugs. The mum-of-two is on the NHS waiting list for bariatric surgery, but would prefer to try weight-loss injections first. She has managed to lose five stone in six months, through diet and exercise, but still weighs 20 stone, and her obesity is affecting her physical and mental health. The 45-year-old has multiple health problems linked to her weight, including sleep apnoea, high blood pressure and pre-diabetes. It also worsens her ulcerative colitis. When she asked her GP if she could try the jabs, she was told they still aren't available in her area. "I'm just frustrated," Suzanne told ITV News. "I just need a little bit of help, but for some reason, people like me aren't getting the help and support they need." She wishes she could buy the medication privately, but cannot afford it. "I'm working class. We're talking hundreds of pounds. I don't have hundreds of pounds at the end of the month to go and buy Mounjaro injections." In December 2024, Mounjaro was approved for the treatment of obesity on the NHS in England. The drug was initially only available through specialist weight-loss clinics. From June 23 2025, GPs in England were allowed to start prescribing Mounjaro to people with a body mass index (BMI) of over 40 and health conditions linked to their obesity, such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease or obstructive sleep apnoea. But our investigation exposes a postcode lottery. ITV News obtained information from 33 of the 42 Integrated Care Boards across England. In 29 of the local health systems, patients still can't access Mounjaro through their GP. Only four areas are currently prescribing the weight-loss jabs in NHS primary care settings. They are NHS Suffolk and North East Essex, NHS South West London, NHS West Yorkshire and NHS Sussex. Around 29% of adults in the UK are obese. It's estimated that weight-loss injections are used by 1.5 million people in the UK, mainly through private prescriptions. The government's recently announced 10-Year Plan for the NHS promises to "launch a moonshot to end the obesity epidemic". It includes a pledge to "harness recent breakthroughs in weight-loss medication and expand access through the NHS". At the Clifton Medical Centre in Rotherham, South Yorkshire, more than 200 patients have asked for the weight-loss injections, but they cannot currently access them on the NHS. "I've had patients in tears in front of me," Dr Matthew Capehorn told ITV News. Around 70% of adults in Rotherham are obese or overweight, but GPs in the town can't yet prescribe Mounjaro because local health bosses say the necessary support services for diet and exercise still haven't been set up. "We've got a medication that's approved by the NHS that can help them - and I'm having to say to them yes, it is available, but I can't prescribe it yet," Dr Capehorn, a GP and obesity expert, said. "I don't want to be an NHS doctor saying 'sorry, but you're going to have to go out and self-fund this medication,' because it's not cheap. I want to do what's best for my patients." An NHS spokesperson said: "Weight-loss drugs have a vital role to play in helping many more people manage their weight and lead healthier lives, and the NHS is developing and rolling out a range of lifestyle support that will be available locally and online to ensure they can be prescribed by GPs as part of holistic care. "The NHS is fully supporting the phased rollout of tirzepatide for eligible patients, having issued guidance and provided funding to local ICBs in March. "These represent brand new services in primary care that are being established and scaled up over time, starting with those who are in the most need – and in the meantime, eligible patients can get weight-loss support from a range of other services including the NHS Digital Weight Management programme." A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: "We expect NHS Integrated Care Boards to be making these drugs, which can help tackle the obesity crisis in the UK, available as part of the phased rollout so those with the highest needs are able to access them." "As we shift our focus from treatment to prevention with our 10 Year Health Plan we are determined to bring revolutionary modern treatments to everyone who needs them, not just those who can afford to pay."
Yahoo
02-06-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
NHC watching area off Florida coast for potential tropical development
Video above: What to expect during the 2025 hurricane season TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — The National Hurricane Center is watching an area off the coast of Florida for potential tropical development. A non-tropical area of low pressure is expected to form near or offshore of the southeastern coast of the U.S., the NHC said Monday. VIDEOS: Tampa battered by quarter-sized hail The system has the potential to develop tropical or subtropical characteristics if it remains offshore. It is moving northeast at 10 to 15 mph. It has a near-zero percent chance of development over the next 48 hours and a 10% chance of development in the next week. 'The NHC is tracking the first area of potential development of the season, stretching from the coastline of Northeastern Florida up through the Outer Banks,' Max Defender 8 Meteorologist Rebecca Barry said. 'While there is a very little chance for this system to develop, even if it were to develop it would have almost no effect on our area. It may pull moisture away from the state and dry us out a bit.'Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
STV News
15-05-2025
- Health
- STV News
Undercover at a black market ‘skinny jab party'
ITV News Health Correspondent Rebecca Barry and Senior Producer Liz Little investigate the 'lethal' skinny jab black market ITV News has filmed undercover at a 'skinny jab party' where unlicensed weight-loss injections were illegally sold. Undercover journalists were able to buy pre-filled syringes of semaglutide, some of which contained ten times the recommended dosage. One doctor described it as 'unethical' with potentially 'lethal' consequences. The undercover filming was part of a months-long investigation by ITV News and the Tonight programme into the skinny jab black market, which also found videos on social media of an NHS employee illegally promoting weight-loss jabs. ITV News bought 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. Weight-loss medications can only be legally and safely dispensed with a prescription from a healthcare professional. It is against the law to advertise prescription-only medications. But with more people than ever living with obesity, long NHS waiting lists for weight-loss drugs and high private costs, many are turning to risky alternatives. Social media is flooded with content promoting and selling unlicensed and potentially dangerous products. Among the thousands of illegal adverts, ITV News found a Facebook post offering a 'skinny jab party'. It read: 'If you host a skinny jab party at your home for five guests… The host gets to pick £120 worth of treatments for free. Inbox me for details.' Our undercover journalists, posing as a group of women on a hen do, arranged to meet the woman. In secretly recorded footage, she asked the group how much weight they wanted to lose before the wedding, without checking their age, BMI or medical history. She confirmed she was not a healthcare professional and claimed to be selling Mounjaro – the brand name for the weight-loss drug tirzepatide. She was recorded saying that she buys it 'in bulk' from a pharmacy in powder form and mixes it herself, so she can supply it 'cheaper'. Undercover filming shows the practitioner self-administering the jab to show us how to use it. / Credit: ITV News/Tonight The 'skinny jab party' included a demonstration of how to use the drug, in which the woman injected herself in the stomach with a needle she had stored in a Tupperware container. When asked about the potential risks, she told the group that they could 'get sick' and have diarrhoea. She said she'd had two customers who had 'been very sick', but it was 'always the really skinny girls'. She told them people had died, but they weren't her clients. They paid £120 each for a six-week supply – except for the 'bride', who got hers free. The woman gave each of the undercover journalists a colourful envelope tied with a ribbon, containing the pre-filled syringes. ITV News showed the undercover footage to Dr Semiya Aziz, a GP who regularly prescribes weight-loss drugs. / Credit: ITV News/Tonight ITV News had the syringes tested in a laboratory and found they did not contain any tirzepatide, as the seller had claimed. Tests revealed they contained another prescription-only weight-loss drug, semaglutide. Some of the syringes had ten times the recommended dosage. ITV News showed the undercover footage to Dr Semiya Aziz, a GP who regularly prescribes weight-loss drugs. Dr Aziz said she was 'angry' watching the medication being distributed at a party, describing it as 'illegal and unethical'. She said the 'unsterile' syringes were 'scary' and that 'someone could end up in hospital' after using them, which could be 'lethal'. The woman who provided the skinny jab party told us that she had been 'scammed' by the pharmacy which supplied the drugs. She said she always explains the positives and negatives of the product she sells and gets many recommendations from her clients who are happy with her work. She said she only wanted to help people and that she would learn from this experience. ITV News found videos of a woman in an NHS uniform called Victoria, illegally promoting unlicensed weight-loss drugs. / Credit: ITV News/Tonight ITV News tracked a number of other online sellers exploiting those who are desperate to lose weight. We found videos of a woman in an NHS uniform, recorded in what looks like a clinical setting, illegally promoting unlicensed weight loss drugs. Our investigation confirmed that the woman is called Victoria and she worked for an NHS Trust in North West England until December 2024. In one video posted to Instagram, she said: 'I've worked in the medical industry now for 23 years.' Some videos offered 'vials' of weight-loss medications for a 'fraction of the price' or 'two for one' deals on disposable pens. ITV News contacted an Instagram account, which had posted some of the videos, asking how to buy the jabs. We were directed to a WhatsApp account and were sent a product price list and payment details. After transferring £170, two 'Raw Pharma Semaglutide' pens were sent in the post. ITV News understands the Whatsapp account and 'Raw Pharma' are linked to British man Dale Dennis, who is currently living in Thailand. / Credit: ITV News/Tonight ITV News understands the WhatsApp account and 'Raw Pharma' are linked to British man Dale Dennis, who is currently living in Thailand. While Dale uses the name 'Raw Pharma', there's no suggestion he's linked to other businesses with the same name. Dale appears in dozens of social media videos offering sales of unlicensed drugs. He also presented a podcast, in which he introduces a video of Victoria, describing her as a Raw Pharma 'partner' and 'nurse'. ITV News has confirmed Victoria was not a nurse, but she did work for the NHS. Dr Stephen Childs, Senior Lecturer at the University of Sunderland, described the pens as some of the 'most concerning' he had seen. / Credit: ITV News/Tonight The 'Raw Pharma Semaglutide' pens we received were tested in a laboratory. Scientists found they contained no trace of semaglutide, were contaminated with bacteria and 'not fit for human use'. Dr Stephen Childs, Senior Lecturer in Pharmaceutical Chemistry at the University of Sunderland, described the pens as some of the 'most concerning' he had seen. Dr Childs said the 'considerable contamination' could cause an allergic reaction or serious infection. 'Someone's bought this under the impression it's been tested and that it's a safe product. That's clearly not a process these types of products go through – unlike genuine pharmaceuticals.' 'Raw Pharma Semaglutide' pens. / Credit: ITV News/Tonight ITV News tried to contact Dale Dennis. He didn't respond to any of the allegations put to him. He said that he has a 'company that sells consultations' and that he is 'not affiliated' to Victoria. Dale said he would be interested in an interview, but when ITV News tried to arrange it, he didn't reply. Victoria did respond, saying she 'does not have a commercial relationship with Dale Dennis or his companies'. She told ITV News that Dale asked her to do a 'review' of the products, which she did on a 'few occasions'. But she said she did not know the videos would be 'edited' to be used as 'a sales pitch' and that 'under no circumstances' was she informed it 'would be used for advertising'. She said she has 'never facilitated' the sale of weight loss drugs. Andy Morling said he is working 'very closely' with social media companies to try and remove illegal trading websites. / Credit: ITV News/Tonight In response to our investigation, the medicines regulator said staff are working 'round the clock' to tackle the skinny jabs black market. Head of the MHRA's Criminal Enforcement Unit, Andy Morling, told the Tonight programme they 'are taking it very seriously'. 'We are stopping it happening. We have a number of investigations ongoing at the moment. We're tackling the supply of these products by taking out the criminals that sit behind them,' he said. 'We work very closely with social media companies to try and remove illegally trading websites and we've removed several hundred illegal postings on Facebook and other social media outlets over the last two years.' A Department of Health and Social care spokesperson told ITV News: 'This is completely unacceptable. These are unlicensed medicines with potentially serious side effects and should under no circumstances be used for cosmetic purposes . 'There can be real health benefits if these treatments are provided safely to the right patients, and it is deeply concerning that individuals are flouting these rules and putting others at risk. 'Healthcare regulatory bodies such as the MHRA have the powers to investigate and act against any individual who is illegally supplying counterfeit products, and is taking action to do so.' Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
ITV News
15-05-2025
- Health
- ITV News
Undercover at a black market ‘skinny jab party'
ITV News Health Correspondent Rebecca Barry and Senior Producer Liz Little investigate the 'lethal' skinny jab black market ITV News has filmed undercover at a 'skinny jab party' where unlicensed weight-loss injections were illegally sold. Undercover journalists were able to buy pre-filled syringes of semaglutide, some of which contained ten times the recommended dosage. One doctor described it as 'unethical' with potentially 'lethal' consequences. The undercover filming was part of a months-long investigation by ITV News and the Tonight programme into the skinny jab black market, which also found videos on social media of an NHS employee illegally promoting weight-loss jabs. ITV News bought 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. Weight-loss medications can only be legally and safely dispensed with a prescription from a healthcare professional. It is against the law to advertise prescription-only medications. But with more people than ever living with obesity, long NHS waiting lists for weight-loss drugs and high private costs, many are turning to risky alternatives. Social media is flooded with content promoting and selling unlicensed and potentially dangerous products. Among the thousands of illegal adverts, ITV News found a Facebook post offering a 'skinny jab party'. It read: 'If you host a skinny jab party at your home for five guests... The host gets to pick £120 worth of treatments for free. Inbox me for details.' Our undercover journalists, posing as a group of women on a hen do, arranged to meet the woman. In secretly recorded footage, she asked the group how much weight they wanted to lose before the wedding, without checking their age, BMI or medical history. She confirmed she was not a healthcare professional and claimed to be selling Mounjaro - the brand name for the weight-loss drug tirzepatide. She was recorded saying that she buys it 'in bulk' from a pharmacy in powder form and mixes it herself, so she can supply it 'cheaper'. The 'skinny jab party' included a demonstration of how to use the drug, in which the woman injected herself in the stomach with a needle she had stored in a Tupperware container. When asked about the potential risks, she told the group that they could 'get sick' and have diarrhoea. She said she'd had two customers who had 'been very sick", but it was 'always the really skinny girls". She told them people had died, but they weren't her clients. They paid £120 each for a six-week supply – except for the 'bride', who got hers free. The woman gave each of the undercover journalists a colourful envelope tied with a ribbon, containing the pre-filled syringes. ITV News had the syringes tested in a laboratory and found they did not contain any tirzepatide, as the seller had claimed. Tests revealed they contained another prescription-only weight-loss drug, semaglutide. Some of the syringes had ten times the recommended dosage. If you've got a story you'd like to share with ITV News, email investigations@ You can watch Tonight - 'Undercover: Skinny Jabs Exposed' on ITV1 and ITVX on Thursday 15 May at 8.30pm. ITV News showed the undercover footage to Dr Semiya Aziz, a GP who regularly prescribes weight-loss drugs. Dr Aziz said she was 'angry' watching the medication being distributed at a party, describing it as 'illegal and unethical". She said the 'unsterile' syringes were 'scary' and that 'someone could end up in hospital' after using them, which could be 'lethal". The woman who provided the skinny jab party told us that she had been 'scammed' by the pharmacy which supplied the drugs. She said she always explains the positives and negatives of the product she sells and gets many recommendations from her clients who are happy with her work. She said she only wanted to help people and that she would learn from this experience. ITV News tracked a number of other online sellers exploiting those who are desperate to lose weight. We found videos of a woman in an NHS uniform, recorded in what looks like a clinical setting, illegally promoting unlicensed weight loss drugs. Our investigation confirmed that the woman is called Victoria and she worked for an NHS Trust in North West England until December 2024. In one video posted to Instagram, she said: 'I've worked in the medical industry now for 23 years.' Some videos offered 'vials' of weight-loss medications for a 'fraction of the price' or 'two for one' deals on disposable pens. ITV News contacted an Instagram account, which had posted some of the videos, asking how to buy the jabs. We were directed to a WhatsApp account and were sent a product price list and payment details. After transferring £170, two 'Raw Pharma Semaglutide' pens were sent in the post. ITV News understands the WhatsApp account and 'Raw Pharma' are linked to British man Dale Dennis, who is currently living in Thailand. While Dale uses the name 'Raw Pharma', there's no suggestion he's linked to other businesses with the same name. Dale appears in dozens of social media videos offering sales of unlicensed drugs. He also presented a podcast, in which he introduces a video of Victoria, describing her as a Raw Pharma 'partner' and 'nurse'. ITV News has confirmed Victoria was not a nurse, but she did work for the NHS. The 'Raw Pharma Semaglutide' pens we received were tested in a laboratory. Scientists found they contained no trace of semaglutide, were contaminated with bacteria and 'not fit for human use". Dr Stephen Childs, Senior Lecturer in Pharmaceutical Chemistry at the University of Sunderland, described the pens as some of the 'most concerning' he had seen. Dr Childs said the 'considerable contamination' could cause an allergic reaction or serious infection. 'Someone's bought this under the impression it's been tested and that it's a safe product. That's clearly not a process these types of products go through - unlike genuine pharmaceuticals.' ITV News tried to contact Dale Dennis. He didn't respond to any of the allegations put to him. He said that he has a 'company that sells consultations' and that he is 'not affiliated' to Victoria. Dale said he would be interested in an interview, but when ITV News tried to arrange it, he didn't reply. Victoria did respond, saying she 'does not have a commercial relationship with Dale Dennis or his companies'. She told ITV News that Dale asked her to do a 'review' of the products, which she did on a 'few occasions'. But she said she did not know the videos would be 'edited' to be used as 'a sales pitch' and that 'under no circumstances' was she informed it 'would be used for advertising'. She said she has 'never facilitated' the sale of weight loss drugs. In response to our investigation, the medicines regulator said staff are working 'round the clock' to tackle the skinny jabs black market. Head of the MHRA's Criminal Enforcement Unit, Andy Morling, told the Tonight programme they 'are taking it very seriously". 'We are stopping it happening. We have a number of investigations ongoing at the moment. We're tackling the supply of these products by taking out the criminals that sit behind them," he said. 'We work very closely with social media companies to try and remove illegally trading websites and we've removed several hundred illegal postings on Facebook and other social media outlets over the last two years.' A Department of Health and Social care spokesperson told ITV News: 'This is completely unacceptable. These are unlicensed medicines with potentially serious side effects and should under no circumstances be used for cosmetic purposes . 'There can be real health benefits if these treatments are provided safely to the right patients, and it is deeply concerning that individuals are flouting these rules and putting others at risk. 'Healthcare regulatory bodies such as the MHRA have the powers to investigate and act against any individual who is illegally supplying counterfeit products, and is taking action to do so.'
Yahoo
29-01-2025
- Yahoo
Forget the tourist traps — this 10-day South Korea tour is all about authentic experiences
If you're looking to experience South Korea beyond the usual tourist hotspots, InsideAsia Tours has just the itinerary for you. Expanding its signature cultural adventures across East Asia, the company is launching its first-ever South Korea Small Group Tour (SGT), aptly named 'Soul of Korea.' This 10-day immersive journey goes beyond the country's famous landmarks, covering both well-known sights as well as hidden gems that offer a deeper connection to local traditions, cuisine, and daily life. 'The tour will showcase the must-see highlights and off-radar sights of Seoul, Busan, and Jeonju, action-packed with crafting activities in Bukchon Hanok Village, Bibimbap making classes in Jeonju (home to the famous dish), and market food sampling in Busan to unveil Korea's unique and delicious culinary culture,' said Senior South Korea Product Executive Rebecca Barry. With a small group size capped at 16 travelers, the Soul of Korea tour offers an intimate experience. This format allows guests to connect not only with fellow travelers, but also with locals, creating a deeper cultural exchange throughout the 10-day journey. The itinerary is packed with diverse experiences, from racing across the country at 300 km/h on the high-speed KTX train to spending a night in a traditional hanok, a beautifully preserved Korean guesthouse in the ancient capital of the Silla Kingdom. Travelers will also explore the streets of Busan's Gamcheon Culture Village, a former war refugee settlement that has transformed into a colorful neighborhood filled with art galleries and cafés. No two trips are ever the same, ensuring a one-of-a-kind adventure. Each morning, an Insider tour leader tailors part of the day's itinerary to highlight what's trending at that moment, whether it's a pop-up bar, a cultural festival, or a newly discovered foodie hotspot. You can book your trip directly on the InsideAsia Tours website. Pricing starts at $3,900 per person, and there are currently tours available in both May and October of this year. The post Forget the tourist traps — this 10-day South Korea tour is all about authentic experiences appeared first on The Manual.
