WHO Issues New Warning Against the Unsupervised Use of Weight-Loss Injections

The World Health Organization has warned about the growing use of GLP-1 receptor agonists outside supervised medical settings, particularly among people obtaining these medicines through online platforms or informal sources to lose weight without a medical diagnosis or prescription.

The warning was issued on July 30, 2026, following a joint meeting of the WHO Advisory Committee on Safety of Medicinal Products and the Global Advisory Committee on Vaccine Safety. The committees reviewed the rapidly increasing global use of GLP-1 medicines, particularly for weight management.

The WHO emphasized that GLP-1 medicines have a well-established positive benefit–risk profile when used for approved indications, at appropriate doses, and under the supervision of qualified healthcare professionals. However, self-medication or obtaining these products from unknown sources may expose users to preventable health risks.

Why Did the WHO Issue This Warning?

WHO advisory committees expressed concern about the increasing number of people using GLP-1 medicines outside approved medical settings. This trend is partly driven by social media content and online marketing that portray these medicines as a quick and simple solution for weight loss.

The concern is particularly relevant when these medicines are used by people who do not have obesity—those with a body mass index below 30 kg/m²—and who have no clear clinical indication or prescription from a qualified healthcare professional.

Additional risks arise when injections or medicines are purchased from unreliable online platforms. In such cases, users may be unable to verify:

• The identity of the medicine.
• The product’s quality and purity.
• The concentration of the active ingredient.
• Storage and transportation conditions.
• The integrity and source of the packaging.
• Whether the dose is appropriate for their health condition.
• Whether the product is falsified or has been tampered with.

The WHO warned that medicines obtained through unregulated channels may be substandard or falsified, potentially exposing users to serious harm instead of providing the intended medical benefit.

What Are GLP-1 Medicines Used for Weight Management?

Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists, commonly known as GLP-1 receptor agonists, are a class of medicines originally developed to help regulate blood glucose levels in certain people with type 2 diabetes.

Some medicines in this class—or those acting through similar hormonal pathways—may help to:

• Reduce hunger.
• Increase feelings of fullness.
• Slow gastric emptying.
• Reduce food intake.
• Support weight loss as part of a comprehensive treatment programme.

However, their effects on appetite and body weight do not mean they are suitable for everyone who wants to lose a few kilograms. They are not a substitute for a medical assessment or sustainable lifestyle changes.

Who May Use GLP-1 Medicines to Treat Obesity?

The World Health Organization states that GLP-1 therapies may be used for the long-term treatment of adults living with obesity, generally defined as having a body mass index of 30 kg/m² or higher. This is a conditional recommendation.

Reaching this BMI threshold does not mean a person should automatically begin treatment. A physician must evaluate the patient’s medical history, current medicines, associated conditions, treatment goals, and whether a particular medicine is appropriate.

Approved indications may differ between countries. A medicine’s approval in one country also does not mean it is automatically registered or officially available in Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, or other GCC countries.

Risks of Using Weight-Loss Injections Without Medical Supervision

The WHO explained that self-medication, lack of clinical follow-up, and obtaining products from unverified sources could expose people to preventable and potentially severe health risks.

Medical supervision involves more than issuing a prescription. The physician must determine whether the treatment is suitable, select the appropriate dose, monitor the patient’s response, manage adverse effects, and identify any reason to stop the medicine or modify the treatment plan.

The risks may increase when a person:

• Starts treatment based on the experience of a friend or social media influencer.
• Uses a dose that is unsuitable for their condition.
• Increases the dose too quickly to achieve faster results.
• Combines more than one weight-loss medicine.
• Purchases products from an unknown source.
• Uses the medicine without disclosing existing conditions or other treatments.
• Ignores unusual or persistent symptoms.
• Stops and restarts treatment without consulting a physician.

Does the Warning Mean All Weight-Loss Injections Are Unsafe?

No. The World Health Organization did not state that all GLP-1 medicines are dangerous or should be avoided entirely.

The WHO confirmed that these medicines have recognized benefits when used for approved indications and under the supervision of a qualified healthcare professional. The warning primarily concerns inappropriate use, self-medication, purchases from unauthorized sources, and treatment without medical follow-up.

There is a major difference between a patient who has undergone a clinical assessment and receives a registered medicine at a prescribed dose, and someone who purchases an injection through an online advertisement and begins using it based on non-medical instructions.

How Can Weight-Loss Injections Be Used More Safely?

The WHO urges anyone considering GLP-1 medicines to consult a qualified healthcare professional and obtain the treatment only from an authorized and reliable source.

Before beginning treatment, patients should:

1. Undergo a comprehensive medical assessment.
2. Inform the physician about chronic conditions and previous surgical procedures.
3. Provide a complete list of medicines and supplements.
4. Purchase the medicine from a licensed pharmacy or authorized provider.
5. Verify the medicine’s name, strength, and storage requirements.
6. Follow the dose and escalation schedule prescribed by the physician.
7. Monitor weight and relevant health indicators regularly.
8. Contact the physician if unusual symptoms develop.
9. Never share the injection or prescription with another person.
10. Follow an appropriate nutritional and behavioural plan instead of relying on medication alone.

The WHO also encourages patients, healthcare professionals, health authorities, and marketing authorization holders to report adverse events through national pharmacovigilance systems. These reports help health authorities better understand medicine safety during prolonged use and among different patient populations.

Obesity Treatment Does Not Begin With Choosing an Injection

Obesity is a complex chronic condition that may involve hormonal, metabolic, psychological, behavioural, environmental, and genetic factors. Its treatment should not be reduced to selecting the most popular medicine or the injection that produced the fastest results for someone else.

A responsible treatment plan begins by evaluating the causes of weight gain, overall health, BMI, fat distribution, associated conditions, and previous weight-loss attempts. The physician can then determine whether the patient requires lifestyle modification alone, pharmacological treatment, metabolic surgery, or another intervention.

Do Not Purchase Weight-Loss Injections From an Unknown Source

The message from the World Health Organization is clear: GLP-1 medicines may benefit selected patients, but their value depends on using them for the right clinical indication, at an appropriate dose, from an authorized source, and with ongoing medical supervision.

Purchasing these products from unverified websites or social media accounts—or using them without a prescription—can turn a weight-management journey into an unnecessary and potentially serious health risk.

DrGlob can help coordinate a specialist medical review and arrange a second medical opinion when needed, helping patients better understand their available options before beginning pharmacological treatment for weight management.

Medical Disclaimer: DrGlob provides medical concierge and coordination services and does not directly diagnose or treat patients. The information in this article does not replace consultation with a qualified healthcare professional or emergency medical care when required.