Weight Loss Drugs: A Regulator’s View on the Pros and Cons

Weight loss drugs like Ozempic and Mounjaro are everywhere right now; in the media, on social feeds, and even in conversations between friends. They’ve been called “game-changers” and “food noise stoppers,” and for many people, the results feel life-changing.

But as with all medicines, the picture isn’t black and white. From a regulatory perspective, there are clear benefits but also risks that need to be considered before anyone makes a decision.

How They Work

The active ingredients in these medicines, such as semaglutide, mimic a natural hormone in the body called GLP-1. Normally, when you eat, your gut releases GLP-1 to help regulate blood sugar and make you feel full. These drugs replicate that process, essentially reducing appetite and stopping cravings. That’s why so many people describe it as silencing the “food noise.”

Originally developed for type 2 diabetes, they’ve more recently been repurposed for weight management. And their effectiveness can’t be denied; many patients lose significant amounts of weight, sometimes after years of struggling with diets that didn’t work.

The Pros

• Proven effectiveness: The drugs work. They reduce appetite, improve blood sugar control, and help people consume fewer calories.
• Support for people who’ve tried everything: For some, they provide the breakthrough that years of diets, exercise plans, and lifestyle changes haven’t achieved.
• Potential health benefits beyond weight loss: Lower body weight can improve cardiovascular health, reduce strain on joints, and support diabetes management.

The Cons

From a regulator’s point of view, the challenges are growing as quickly as the popularity of these medicines.

• Adverse events on the rise: For decades, reports of side effects were minimal, around 25 a year before 2022. In the last three years, that’s jumped to more than 7,000 annually. Increased use explains much of this, but it also reflects people taking the drugs at higher doses, for longer periods, and often outside the approved BMI criteria.
• Unclear long-term guidance: There’s no firm advice on how long people should stay on these drugs. Some reports suggest lifelong use, but they were never originally designed as weight loss treatments. Once someone drops below the BMI threshold, regulators haven’t yet set clear evidence-based recommendations for continued use.
• Lifestyle risks: The drug may reduce appetite, but it doesn’t teach healthier habits. Without exercise, balanced nutrition, and vitamin intake, weight loss alone won’t necessarily mean better health.
• Accessibility and oversight: It’s frighteningly easy to order online. A short questionnaire and the injections arrive in the post. But where’s the medical oversight? Without proper checks, patients may miss vital warnings, such as risks for pregnant or breastfeeding women.
• The supplement trap: The boom in weight-loss drugs has triggered a wave of “GLP-1 alternative” supplements. But here’s the fact: no supplement in the UK has an approved weight-loss claim. Brands marketing them as such are not only misleading consumers, they’re likely breaking the law.

The Bottom Line

Weight loss drugs can be powerful tools, but they’re not magic bullets. They work best when paired with genuine lifestyle changes, and they must be used under proper medical supervision. As regulators, our role is to ensure products are safe, effective, and marketed responsibly.

For consumers, the key is informed choice. Ask the right questions, seek professional advice, and be wary of anything that sounds too good to be true.

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