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Original poster

Why does MN permit posts advertising weight loss medicines?

45 replies

SnakesAndArrows · 11/03/2025 09:53

There are many posts on here advertising prescription-only weight loss medicines. This is both against site policy and the law. Reporting them seems to have no effect. Why not?

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KrankyKumquat · 14/03/2025 07:52

The adverts seen on TV and SM are from private pharmacies. If you look/listen closely, they don't mention specific weight loss medication, just weight loss programmes. It's illegal to directly advertise prescription medication. Orlistat is not a prescription medication, it's an OTC so you can advertise this. It's a loophole which is monitored closely - companies which overstep the mark have been fined and you can report any breaches of the law on advertising to the MHRA

BatchCookBabe · 13/03/2025 17:34

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JaneJeffer · 12/03/2025 19:17

That's their problem Grin

Original poster
SnakesAndArrows · 12/03/2025 19:04

JaneJeffer · 12/03/2025 18:56

You can hide the board

I could. But that wouldn’t stop Mumsnet breaking its own rules on advertising, and being complicit in illegal advertising of POMs, would it?

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JaneJeffer · 12/03/2025 18:56

You can hide the board

Original poster
SnakesAndArrows · 12/03/2025 11:56

No response? Well, how about GonnaBeSlim

Copy and paste (with the weight loss total increasing over time).

It’s really disappointing how you will turn a blind eye to this unethical and illegal marketing.

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Original poster
SnakesAndArrows · 12/03/2025 10:10

BeckyAMumsnet · 12/03/2025 09:48

Hello @SnakesAndArrows thanks for posting. We don't allow people to join Mumsnet and spam weight loss codes (or anything for that matter). Genuine posters can use the dedicated board to swap deals they’ve found helpful.

But you do. Ahshgsvs is clearly one such.

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MNHQ
BeckyAMumsnet · 12/03/2025 09:48

Hello @SnakesAndArrows thanks for posting. We don't allow people to join Mumsnet and spam weight loss codes (or anything for that matter). Genuine posters can use the dedicated board to swap deals they’ve found helpful.

Original poster
SnakesAndArrows · 12/03/2025 06:35

EasterIssland · 11/03/2025 22:54

Looking at the titles … they’re advertising a brand most of them of a product that is obtained by prescription only

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Search the poster Ahshgsvs

Same thing in a slightly different format. It’s very obviously a shill, paid by the company to advertise on this board. Mumsnet is aware of it but has taken no action. There are many others.

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Tryingtokeepgoing · 11/03/2025 23:09

SnakesAndArrows · 11/03/2025 09:53

There are many posts on here advertising prescription-only weight loss medicines. This is both against site policy and the law. Reporting them seems to have no effect. Why not?

Because it drives posts and they like the ad revenue!

TY78910 · 11/03/2025 22:59

No33 · 11/03/2025 22:50

Posting a code isn't a brand advertising though?

I feel icky about the code threads, but I don't believe they are advertisements.

Unless you're talking about something different?

After seeing this thread earlier in the day I clicked on a couple of those weight loss threads and it's literally just "posters" back and forth sharing "their codes" in the same format. They're bots / people employed to post these random codes to incentivise you to buy from any particular company.

EasterIssland · 11/03/2025 22:54

No33 · 11/03/2025 22:50

Posting a code isn't a brand advertising though?

I feel icky about the code threads, but I don't believe they are advertisements.

Unless you're talking about something different?

Looking at the titles … they’re advertising a brand most of them of a product that is obtained by prescription only

Why does MN permit posts advertising weight loss medicines?
BitOutOfPractice · 11/03/2025 22:52

I have to say I think it’s bordering on shonky for mn to have a board devoted to exchanging discount codes for these drugs.

I await a deletion.

No33 · 11/03/2025 22:50

Posting a code isn't a brand advertising though?

I feel icky about the code threads, but I don't believe they are advertisements.

Unless you're talking about something different?

Original poster
SnakesAndArrows · 11/03/2025 21:46

NoTouch · 11/03/2025 21:30

I've seen Numan and Juniper ads, but they don't mention Mounjaro or Wegovy or even injections, they advertise their weight management services with advice, support and the most up to date medication (or something like that).

The same with referral codes, you are referring the person to the pharmacy not the medication.

I don't have a problem with the advertising, they advertise erectile dysfunction medication which is prescription only, but no one complains about that. Ensuring prescribing guidelines are followed robustly is the more important issue.

Some erectile dysfunction medicines are Pharmacy only (P), not prescription only (POM), medicines. These are the ones you’ve seen on TV.

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Original poster
SnakesAndArrows · 11/03/2025 21:42

EasterIssland · 11/03/2025 21:32

Thanks @SnakesAndArrows , there is also a whole board to promote codes for discounts for prescription medicines … all this makes me shiver to be honest

I agree. It seems strange that Mumsnet don’t appear to have done their homework on this. They are probably not breaking the law themselves by failing to remove the obvious illegal advertising posts, but then again I’m not a lawyer. In either case it’s really not a good look.

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EasterIssland · 11/03/2025 21:32

Thanks @SnakesAndArrows , there is also a whole board to promote codes for discounts for prescription medicines … all this makes me shiver to be honest

NoTouch · 11/03/2025 21:30

I've seen Numan and Juniper ads, but they don't mention Mounjaro or Wegovy or even injections, they advertise their weight management services with advice, support and the most up to date medication (or something like that).

The same with referral codes, you are referring the person to the pharmacy not the medication.

I don't have a problem with the advertising, they advertise erectile dysfunction medication which is prescription only, but no one complains about that. Ensuring prescribing guidelines are followed robustly is the more important issue.

Original poster
SnakesAndArrows · 11/03/2025 21:18

LightCameraBitchSmile · 11/03/2025 20:14

But you can promote weight loss services, which is the loophole

They can, but they cannot mention the prescription only medicines by name. This is advertising. There are posters on these threads whose posts are adverts.

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soupyspoon · 11/03/2025 20:58

Is it called My Juniper? That might be it

soupyspoon · 11/03/2025 20:57

BillStickersIsInnocent · 11/03/2025 20:37

Yep - well it’s a weight loss programme with online coaching, diet and exercise advice and wegovy or mounjaro - both prescription only medications.

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I wonder if this is what Ive seen, the name rings a bell now you mention it

Now Im keeping my eye out for it you can bet i'll never see it again

Nevertrustacop · 11/03/2025 20:48

Well that law needs changing then. It might be okay if people could rely on the NHS to say what medications are available even if they don't provide them. But that's not the case and lots of prescribers wouldn't even know about what is available. The NHS almost never suggests drugs they don't provide. So the average patient is relying on adverts to find out what is available before they can even start to source it.
As things stand only the most diligent and tbh intelligent patients are finding out what actually exists. And not just with weight loss meds.

ThejoyofNC · 11/03/2025 20:41

BillStickersIsInnocent · 11/03/2025 20:37

Yep - well it’s a weight loss programme with online coaching, diet and exercise advice and wegovy or mounjaro - both prescription only medications.

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That's really surprising. I can't say I've paid much attention to the ads (usually just waiting to skip them) but I didn't think you'd be able to advertise that. Especially not on a platform used by all ages.

BillStickersIsInnocent · 11/03/2025 20:37

ThejoyofNC · 11/03/2025 20:31

I get regular YouTube ads for juniper. Is that a prescription drug?

Show quote history

Yep - well it’s a weight loss programme with online coaching, diet and exercise advice and wegovy or mounjaro - both prescription only medications.

ThejoyofNC · 11/03/2025 20:31

BillStickersIsInnocent · 11/03/2025 20:20

That’s really interesting. Juniper is advertised all over the place! With celebrity endorsement too.

I get regular YouTube ads for juniper. Is that a prescription drug?