{"id":86833,"date":"2017-11-30T05:45:00","date_gmt":"2017-11-30T05:45:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/mostafa.openonline.co.uk\/?guid=a4ccefeaf958014eecc112829d249173"},"modified":"2017-11-30T05:45:00","modified_gmt":"2017-11-30T05:45:00","slug":"press-release-new-research-shows-desperate-dieters-in-danger-the-secret-world-of-online-slimming-pills","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mostafa.openonline.co.uk\/?p=86833","title":{"rendered":"Press release: New research shows desperate dieters in danger – the secret world of online slimming pills"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Online sellers of potentially dangerous slimming pills containing withdrawn pharmaceutical ingredients are putting desperate dieters\u2019 health at serious risk by seducing them with the promise of quick-fix weight loss and discreet deliveries that bypass discussions with their GP and pharmacist, new research reveals.<\/p>\n

One in three slimmers have tried slimming pills purchased online, according to the joint #FakeMeds survey of 1,805 slimmers by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency and Slimming World. Since April 2013, the Agency has seized nearly \u00a34 million worth of dodgy weight loss pills.<\/p>\n

Three quarters of slimmers (77%) were enticed by promises of rapid weight loss, more than half were attracted to being able to order discreetly (57%) and more than four in ten (44%) ordered online because they didn\u2019t want to speak to a GP or pharmacist, the survey revealed.<\/p>\n

However, almost two-in-three (63%) suffered unpleasant side effects after taking slimming pills bought online. These side effects included diarrhoea, bleeding that wouldn\u2019t stop, blurred vision and heart problems. Worryingly, four out of five (81%) didn\u2019t report these side effects to anyone.<\/p>\n

The potentially dangerous products seized by the Agency are not tested for safety and have been found stored in dirty, rat-infested warehouses and garden sheds. In 2016, MHRA<\/abbr> seized more than 4.6 million fake medical products and closed more than 5,000 websites selling medicines illegally.<\/p>\n

Four out of 10 respondents said they had used the slimming pills knowing there were health risks, with more than six out of ten (62%) doing so because they were \u2018desperate to lose weight\u2019.<\/p>\n

Sarah-Jayne Walker, who became obsessed with slimming pills bought online before quitting her habit and eventually joining Slimming World, said:<\/p>\n

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I used to spend hours searching the web for what I thought were the right diet pills, ones that said they would work straight away and that had the best reviews. My mind became consumed with those pills\u2026<\/p>\n

However, after suffering heart palpitations, IBS<\/abbr>, sickness, light headedness and even fainting, I knew I had to get a grip and sort my mind out. I joined Slimming World at the end of May and it has been a revelation.<\/p>\n

I don\u2019t have to punish myself or feel guilty for eating anymore and I\u2019ve lost just over two stone. The support has been amazing and I can\u2019t tell you how proud I feel of myself.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

The majority of diet products are regulated as foods, however MHRA<\/abbr> regularly seizes products that contain withdrawn pharmaceutical ingredients due to risks of heart attacks and strokes.<\/p>\n

MHRA<\/abbr> Senior Policy Manager, Lynda Scammell, said:<\/p>\n

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Quick fixes for losing weight may have serious health consequences in the short or long term, including organ failure and death.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s essential you know what you\u2019re buying online and what the risks are. If you don\u2019t, your weight could end up being the least of your worries!<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

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If you\u2019re looking to buy medicines online, check if the seller is registered by using our easy online checking system, www.gov.uk\/fakemeds<\/a> or check if they display the distance selling logo.<\/p>\n

If you think you\u2019ve bought fake medical products, please let us know via www.gov.uk\/fakemeds<\/a>. This way we can use the information to continue to seize these products and close websites that are putting public health at risk.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

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There are reputable groups out there that can support you to lose weight through healthy lifestyle changes. Your GP or healthcare professional will be able to advise you on finding the right option for you.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Jenny Caven, Slimming World\u2019s Head of External Affairs, said:<\/p>\n

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It\u2019s easy to see how quick fix promises made by the sellers of online slimming pills could seem tempting to people who are desperately struggling with their weight.<\/p>\n

Buying slimming pills online can be incredibly risky though. The sellers are often unregulated and taking the pills puts people at risk of dangerous side effects. Learning to make changes to the way you shop, cook and eat and getting support to develop new healthy habits really is the best way to lose weight. Not only is it safer, it\u2019s also far more satisfying and has the added benefit that newfound habits can be passed on to the people around you too. Getting support makes your new habits more likely to stick in the longer term and you won\u2019t suffer any nasty side effects.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

The #FakeMeds survey highlights how easy it is for people to buy potentially dangerous slimming pills online. Therefore, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency is working in partnership with Slimming World as part of the Agency\u2019s #FakeMeds Campaign to encourage those wanting to lose weight to turn to safe, legitimate and appropriate routes.<\/p>\n

The #FakeMeds campaign website has a range of easy and quick top tips to keep yourself safe online. www.gov.uk\/fakemeds<\/a><\/p>\n

If you would like to hear more about the healthy weight loss support that Sarah-Jayne experienced please visit www.slimmingworld.co.uk<\/a><\/p>\n

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Media enquiries<\/h3>\n
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\nNews centre<\/span>
\nMHRA<\/abbr>
\n
\n151 Buckingham Palace Road
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\nVictoria<\/span>
\nLondon<\/span>
\nSW1W 9SZ<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

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\n Email<\/span>
\n newscentre@mhra.gov.uk<\/a>\n <\/p>\n

\n During office hours:<\/span>
\n 020 3080 7651 (08:30 – 17:00)\n <\/p>\n

\n Out of office hours:<\/span>
\n 07770 446 189 (17:00 – 08:30)\n <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

Office hours are Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 5pm. For real-time updates including the latest press releases and news statements, see our Twitter channel at https:\/\/www.twitter.com\/mhrapress<\/a><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) is working in partnership with Slimming World as part of the Agency\u2019s wider #FakeMeds Campaign to encourage those wanting to lose weight to turn to safe, legitimate and appropriate routes.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[13],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/mostafa.openonline.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/86833"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/mostafa.openonline.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/mostafa.openonline.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mostafa.openonline.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/8"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mostafa.openonline.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=86833"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/mostafa.openonline.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/86833\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":86846,"href":"https:\/\/mostafa.openonline.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/86833\/revisions\/86846"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/mostafa.openonline.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=86833"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mostafa.openonline.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=86833"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mostafa.openonline.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=86833"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}