Experts warn not to stock up on 'miracle' diet drugs without advice

People are being warned not become their own doctor and self-prescribe to so-called 'miracle drugs' bought online or from places like market stalls.

Experts are warning that too much misinformation is being spread about diet supplements, pills and weight loss jabs, including ways to obtain them through unofficial channels.

Emily Jones is from Rowlands Pharmacy, which operates across the North West and Midlands.

"It's definitely a concern for us that people will go elsewhere and obtain this medicine through illegitimate channels or go online." she said.

"The horror stories you hear of people being hospitalised or people having these severe reactions, I think a lot of these cases are people who've obtained medicines through illegitimate channels and they haven't had that medical support."

Emily said: "Word of mouth spreads, people see other people having results and they think I want that. They think that even if they might not be eligible."

"I think sometimes it's positioned as this miracle drug... it definitely isn't the case"

Emily continued: "We do want people to be able to take this medicine if they're eligible, but in some cases it's not safe potentially if you have certain medical conditions or if you take certain medications - it's not suitable for you. Therefore, if people out there try and obtain them through different methods it's very unsafe.

"That's why it's so important that you get it from a medical healthcare professional who assesses your suitability for the drug."

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