FAKE OZEMPIC SOLD ON FACEBOOK & WHATSAPP CAUSE CONCERN

A before-and-after picture tells you very little about what is inside the injection.

Apparently, the group chat now comes with weight-loss treatment.

The Ministry of Health and Social Development issued a warning on November 11 about unregulated weight-loss injections and peptides circulating through WhatsApp groups, Facebook pages and informal distributors. Reports also include courier imports for personal use or resale. Chief Medical Officer Dr. Ronald Georges says these products should be obtained through legitimate medical and pharmacy channels. (gov.vg)

Buying something from someone you know can feel reassuring. They live here. A friend recommended them. Perhaps they have photographs of customers who appear pleased with the results.

None of that answers the questions that matter before an injection: what is in it, where did it come from, and who has assessed whether you should take it?

The Ministry warns of unknown ingredients, incorrect doses, contamination, improper storage and unsafe injection practices. Potential complications include dehydration, pancreatitis, organ injury and infections. It also acknowledges that weight-management medication can be appropriate following assessment by a registered medical practitioner. (gov.vg)

That distinction matters. People seeking help with their weight deserve proper care without being mocked for wanting treatment. Ridiculing them does nothing to establish whether the person selling a product is qualified, whether the supply is legitimate or whether anyone is monitoring their health.

A seller’s confidence is easy to advertise. Accountability takes more work.

For government, the next step should include making legitimate treatment easier to navigate. Where can residents obtain an assessment? How can they verify a supplier? Where can they check a product before paying for it? A warning becomes more useful when people can act on it without having to investigate the entire pharmaceutical supply chain themselves.

The Ministry says unlawful distribution or administration may face enforcement action. Anyone already using these unregulated products should pause further doses pending advice from a registered doctor or pharmacist. Severe abdominal pain, persistent vomiting, fainting, breathing problems, facial swelling, fever or infection after an injection require immediate medical attention. Suspected unlawful sales can be reported to Gracia Wheatley-Smith at (284) 468-9850 or grwheatley-smith@gov.vg. (gov.vg)

The appeal of a quick result is understandable. So is wanting a treatment that feels affordable and accessible. Those needs deserve a serious response from the health system.

But a product does not become trustworthy because the person selling it has your number saved. Before someone asks residents to trust them with an injection, they should be able to offer more than a price and a collection point.