A survey of 2000 UK adults by Oushk Pharmacy has revealed “a generational divide in attitudes toward weight loss treatments” means younger individuals are “more open to medical interventions”, it today (February 21) told C+D.
The pharmacy found ‘Gen Z’ respondents – adults between the age of 16 and 24 – “are more likely to consider weight loss injections as a part of their health journey”.
“Almost 17% of 16–24-year-olds say they are aware of these treatments and are considering using them, compared to only 13% of the general population,” it said.
Read more: Weight loss: Online pharmacy influencer discount codes shot down
“Meanwhile, nearly a third (30%) of Gen Z respondents stated that they or someone they know has purchased these injections, compared to 17% of respondents aged 25–34 and 14% of those aged 35–44,” Oushk added.
And almost half (47%) of 16–24-year-olds “reported having some understanding of how weight loss injections work, the highest percentage among all age groups”, as they lead “the surge in weight loss injections”.
“Pervasive influence of social media”
“This stark generational difference highlights the unique pressures faced by Gen Z,” Oushk said.
“For younger individuals, the pervasive influence of social media and celebrity endorsements has normalised rapid weight loss solutions, with platforms like Instagram and TikTok inundated with content promoting these treatments,” it added.
Read more: GPhC: Photo verification for weight loss drugs ‘not appropriate’
The pharmacy’s lead pharmacist Hira Malik said that the Gen Z’s attitude contrasts the “greater hesitation” of older generations.
She added that this “openness comes a responsibility to ensure these treatments are approached safely and effectively”.
Online crackdown
Meanwhile last week (February 12) the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) revealed that online pharmacy Habitual Healthcare Ltd “amended its marketing practices…to ensure that prescription-only medicines (POMs) for weight loss are not promoted to the public”.
It added that following its action, Habitual deactivated “unique discount codes given to content creators” and asked “content creators to remove unique tracking links to the Habitual website”, the MHRA said.
Meanwhile, the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) this month published new rules banning online pharmacies from prescribing high-risk medicine based on online questionnaires alone.
Read more: New online pharmacy regs ‘effective immediately’ amid weight loss risks
It stressed they must “independently verify” patients’ weight and height before prescribing weight loss drugs in particular.
C+D last year reported on patients landing in hospital after obtaining weight loss drugs from Boots Online Doctor, Lloydspharmacy online doctor and Curate Health .
