Death toll linked with weight loss and diabetic drugs rises to 82 in the UK

The number of deaths associated with weight loss and diabetes drugs in the United Kingdom has risen according to the country’s medicines regulator. The Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has now made the shocking revelation linked to the use of GLP-1RA receptor agonist drugs such as Mounjaro, Wegovy, and Ozempic. The data shows that there were 22 deaths up to 31 January 2025, from adverse reactions to weight loss drugs. In October, the figure was 10, amidst the drugs’ boom in the market. 60 of the deaths are linked to the use for treating type 2 diabetes. “The decision to start, continue, or stop treatments should be made jointly by patients and their doctor, based on full consideration of benefits and risks,” Alison Cave, MHRA chief safety officer, said in a statement.The MHRA received reports of 18 deaths associated with tirzepatide, commercially known as Mounjaro; 29 deaths associated with semaglutide which has the brand names Ozempic, Rybelsus, and Wegovy; and 35 deaths associated with single-constituent liraglutide commonly known as Saxenda or Victoza, as of January.“Weight loss drugs can have side effects and it is important that they are prescribed by an appropriately trained healthcare professional rather than being obtained online. They’re also not a magic bullet and need to be prescribed alongside programmes that help people live healthier lives by making changes to their diet and physical activity,” NHS medical director Professor Sir Stephen Powis said. Though GLP-1RAs have been used to treat type 2 diabetes for over 15 years, they shot to popularity after its weight loss effects were learned, seven years ago.The MHRA had earlier warned people not to buy prefilled pens online that claim to contain prescription-only GLP-1 receptor agonists, following reports of a ‘very small number of people’ being hospitalized after using counterfeit Ozempic pens.Mounjaro manufacturer Eli Lilly said that patient safety was the pharmaceutical company’s ‘top priority’. “Tirzepatide is authorised for use to treat both Type 2 diabetes and for weight management and is being used to help millions of patients around the world. Our confidence in tirzepatide as an important treatment option is based on our extensive clinical trial programme,” a spokesperson said.A spokesperson for Novo Nordisk, which makes the blockbuster drugs Ozempic, Wegovy, and Rybelsus, said, “We recommend patients take these medications for their approved indications and under the supervision of a healthcare professional. Treatment decisions should be made together with a healthcare provider who can evaluate the appropriateness of using a GLP-1, based on assessment of a patient’s individual medical profile.”The spokesperson added, “Patient safety is of the utmost importance to Novo Nordisk. We continuously collect safety data on our marketed GLP-1 RA medicines and work closely with the authorities to ensure patient safety. As part of this work, we continue to monitor reports of adverse drug reactions through routine pharmacovigilance.”(Pic courtesy: iStock)