The rules of promoting weight loss jabs as Gemma Collins' Instagram post banned
TV personality Gemma Collins has been forced to remove a post from her Instagram profile where she had recommended a weight loss jab and app back in January. It comes as the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) cracks down on the promotion of prescription-only weight loss medication.
The star had said in her now-deleted post: "I'm starting this year two sizes down, thanks to Yazen's weight loss app and medication... I'm not telling anyone to go on this medication, but it is prescribed on the NHS."
Yazen, the company Collins was promoting, is a Swedish digital healthcare brand. Users receive a doctor-supervised weight-loss programme that combines prescription medications with lifestyle coaching.
Although Collins had not named a specific weight loss drug or specifically told people to take it, the ASA deemed the post as a breach of their rules that make the promotion of prescription weight loss medication illegal, reports the BBC.
Eight other adverts were banned in this recent ASA crackdown.
Weight loss jabs have soared in popularity in the UK recently, with around 1.5 million Brits currently taking them after the recent roll out of Mounjaro on the NHS. But what are the rules and regulations of promoting them?
Here's everything you need to know about the ASA's rules for advertising weight loss meds and why Gemma Collins' post was banned.
The ASA's rules for promoting weight loss medication
Gemma Collins' post, as well as the eight other weight loss adverts that are now banned, were found by the ASA to breach the following set of rules.
Prescription-only medicines cannot be advertised to the public
Any medication that is prescription-only, including weight loss jabs, cannot be advertised via leaflets, press ads, posters or even sponsored ads.
This rule extends to social media posts, such as the one posted by Gemma Collins.
Advertisers cannot claim customers can achieve a specific rate of weight loss
Gemma had claimed that she was 'two sizes down' thanks to the weight loss jabs.
This rule states that promotional content for weight loss meds may not claim that people will lose a certain amount of weight in a certain amount of time.
The ASA ruled against an ad by Skinny Revolution Ltd in 2020 because it included the claim 'LOSE OVER A FULL STONE IN JUST 2-4 WEEKS".
Adverts can't feature health professionals or celebrities
While Gemma's post did not feature a health professional, she herself is a celebrity who was deliberately promoting the weight loss drugs.
This isn't the first time Collins has run into trouble with the ASA, as back in 2020 she posted similar social media posts that 'made direct and indirect references to a prescription-only weight loss product'
The ASA considered this to be a prohibited endorsement of a medicine by a celebrity.
Don't use before and after photographs
Using before and after photographs to promote a weight loss product is likely to be picked up by the ASA as an advertising claim.
The use of before and after images may only be acceptable if they are clearly attributed to a product that is not prescription-only.
The eight other adverts banned by the ASA would have breached one or more of these rules, unjustly promoting prescription-only weight loss jabs to the public.
Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community!
Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today.
You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland.
No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team.
All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in!
If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'.
We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like.
To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Record
22 minutes ago
- Daily Record
SNP 'sitting on cash' rather than investing in Scottish hospices, warns Labour
Labour has pledged hospice-based doctors and nurses would see their wages rise to NHS levels if the party takes power at the Holyrood. The SNP Government must ensure that hospices in Scotland are given enough cash to address the financial crisis facing the sector, Labour has warned. The call comes after UK ministers announced £75 million would be shared among 170 facilities in England – believed to be the biggest boost ever for the sector. The cash will go towards building separate family rooms, adding solar panels to reduce energy costs and communal lounges. Jackie Baillie, Scottish Labour health spokeswoman, last week pledged hospice-based doctors and nurses would see their wages rise to NHS levels if her party takes power at the Holyrood election next year. The Scottish Government promised in its budget to fund hospices to allow pay for staff to be increased to match levels in the NHS, but Labour has claimed the funding has not yet been released. Baillie said: 'While the UK Labour Government is investing in hospices, the SNP is sitting on cash rather than giving this vital part of our health system the resources it needs. 'The SNP committed to £5 million in this year's budget to cover salary rises for last year, yet so far this has not been delivered. 'The SNP must give hospices the money they are owed and match Scottish Labour's pledge on pay so that staff are treated fairly and patients get the specialist support they deserve.' Baillie vowed Scottish Labour would increase hospice funding by a further £3.6 million this year and £3.3 million next year, in line with NHS spending, if the party wins the 2026 Holyrood election. The UK Government announced its funding increase today, with minister Stephen Kinnock praising the impact of the facilities. "Hospices play a vital role in our society by providing invaluable care and support when people need it most,' he said. "At this most difficult time, people deserve to receive the best care in the best possible environment with dignity. "I've seen first-hand how our funding is already making a real difference to improving facilities for patients and families. This additional funding will deliver further upgrades, relieving pressure on day-to-day spending. "End-of-life care is crucial to our 10 Year Health Plan and our fundamental shift of moving more care out of hospital and into the community. We will continue to support hospices so they can deliver their vital work.' The Scottish Government is being asked for comment.
Daily Mail
an hour ago
- Daily Mail
NHS CEO orders hospitals to be tough with striking doctors and not 'tolerate harm and risk' to patients caused by major walkout starting this week
The head of NHS England has demanded hospital bosses get tough on resident doctors to prevent major harm to patients being caused by a strike due to start this week. The British Medical Association has vowed emergency and maternity services will remain covered when medics walk out for five days from Friday. But Sir Jim Mackey, the chief executive of NHS England, said that previous industrial action from residents - formerly junior doctors - had cause more harm to patients than previously thought. Speaking ahead of the walkout he said the cancellation and postponement of elective surgery had had a major knock-on effect, telling the Sunday Times: 'We all tolerated levels of harm and risk last time that I really just don't think we should anymore. 'We'll be taking a different approach... 'I personally met patients and families in my trust (Newcastle), who'd had a late cancer diagnosis, a late Parkinson's diagnosis, who came to harm later on that were not caught in that initial assessment and reporting.' The last round of strikes, which also included walkouts by other health workers, came at an estimated cost of £1.5 billion to the NHS in England. Some 1.5 million appointments, procedures and operations were postponed as a result of the stoppages. On Thursday, The Times reported that it had seen an audit which found that five patients died as a result of disruption linked to strikes by junior doctors in 2023 and 2024. One prevention of future death report detailed how 71-year-old Daphne Austin, who had a kidney injury, died after getting 'no medical input' on one of the strike days because the consultant who was covering was in charge of 25 patients. Another states that 60-year-old John Doyle died of 'natural causes against a background of missed opportunities to diagnose and treat cytomegalovirus infection, together with the impact of the resident (formerly junior) doctors' strike on the provision of consistent patient care'. Last September resident doctors voted to accept a Government pay deal worth 22.3 per cent on average over two years. The 2025/26 pay deal saw resident doctors given a 4 per cent increase plus £750 'on a consolidated basis', working out as an average rise of 5.4 per cent. Government officials said these two increases equate to a 28.9 per cent pay rise. But the BMA now says they need 29.2 per cent to reverse 'pay erosion' since 2008/09. After meeting union leaders on Thursday, Health Secretary Wes Streeting reiterated that 'we cannot move on pay after a 28.9 per cent pay rise' but the Government is looking at ways to improve resident doctors' working lives.
The Independent
an hour ago
- The Independent
NHS managers who silence whistleblowers to be banned from senior health roles
NHS managers who silence whistleblowers will be banned from taking up other senior health service roles, the Government has announced. The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) said the proposals will ensure those who commit serious misconduct are no longer able to work in senior NHS management positions. Legislation is set to be put forward to Parliament next year to introduce professional standards and regulation of NHS managers. Tens of thousands of clinical and non-clinical managers work in the NHS but there is currently no regulatory framework specifically for managers, as there is for doctors and nurses. Health Secretary Wes Streeting said the reforms will 'slam the door in the face of unsuitable managers'. Mr Streeting added: 'I'm determined to create a culture of honesty and openness in the NHS where whistleblowers are protected, and that demands tough enforcement. 'If you silence whistleblowers, you will never work in the NHS again. 'We've got to create the conditions where staff are free to come forward and sound the alarm when things go wrong. Protecting the reputation of the NHS should never be put before protecting patient safety. 'Most NHS leaders are doing a fantastic job, but we need to stop the revolving door that allows managers sacked for misconduct or incompetence to be quietly moved to another well-paid role in another part of the NHS.' DHSC said a public consultation launched in November last year received more than 4,900 contributions on ways in which managers and leaders could be regulated. The statutory barring system will be for board-level directors and their direct reports within NHS bodies. Further legislation will set out new statutory powers for the Health and Care Professions Council to disbar NHS leaders in senior roles who have committed serious misconduct. Separate NHS England professional standards for managers will establish a 'consistent, national set of expectations about NHS management and leadership competency and conduct', DHSC said. Tom Kark KC, author of the Kark Review into the effectiveness of the fit and proper person test within the NHS, said: 'I am pleased that the recommendation made in my report into the application of the NHS fit and proper person test to create a power to disqualify board directors found guilty of serious misconduct is being implemented. 'Along with the ongoing implementation of my other recommendations for improving board competence, this is a positive move to strengthen management in the NHS by weeding out poor leadership. 'This is good news for whistleblowers and those looking for accountability in senior management which has long been lacking.' Rachel Power, chief executive of the Patients Association, said patients expect NHS managers 'to be held to the same high standards as clinical staff, and that should include consistent regulation'. Ms Power added: 'A clear, fair process to prevent those who commit serious misconduct from returning to senior roles will be an important step forward, and it's vital that patient involvement continues to shape proposals as further regulation is considered.' Saffron Cordery, deputy chief executive of NHS Providers, said the membership organisation for hospital, mental health, community and ambulance services thought 'only 'fit and proper' people should be running NHS services'. Ms Cordery added: 'Many big, complex NHS trusts employ thousands of people therefore we want to attract the very best to lead them. 'So we welcome the Government's commitment to developing and accrediting managers alongside proposals for disbarring those whose performance falls short.' Sam Allen, NHS national director for leadership and management, said: 'Managers will welcome this new regulatory framework, as part of the broader package of actions set out in the plan to attract, develop, and retain the best possible leaders for the NHS of today and tomorrow.'
