Watchdog bans host of ads for prescription-only weight-loss medications
The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) said the nine rulings against the ads – one featuring reality TV personality Gemma Collins – made it 'crystal clear' that all injectable forms of weight-loss medication were prescription-only and therefore could not advertised to the public.
In December, the ASA warned businesses and individuals who were targeting members of the public with ads for the medicines.
It said no-one operating in the industry could say they had not been warned that weight-loss prescription-only medicines 'must not be promoted to the public'.
The ads banned this week include an Instagram post by Collins, posted on January 6, which promoted the weight-loss service Yazen.
In a video, Collins stated: 'I'm starting this year two sizes down, thanks to Yazen's weight loss app and medication. It's really quick and easy to get started with Yazen, it has absolutely changed my life… I finally found something that actually I lose weight on.'
She continued: 'Yes, there's, you know, reports and stuff. And I'm not telling anyone to go on this medication, but it is prescribed on the NHS.'
Two complainants challenged whether the ad breached rules because it promoted prescription-only medication to the public.
Yazen said the post had been intended to share information about their 'holistic, responsible approach to weight loss', and had not been intended to focus solely on medication.
Following notification of the complaint, and in agreement with Collins, the post has been amended to remove any reference to prescription-only medications.
Yazen said they would ensure that future posts were compliant with the advertising code.
Collins said she took her responsibilities under the advertising code seriously and strove to comply with them.
She accepted that her posts had promoted the Yazen weight-loss service and app, and said Yazen would approve any marketing materials she might post in future, and she would follow any guidance that the ASA provided.
The ASA also banned an ad for prescription-only weight-loss medication posted by CheqUp, which read: 'No GP or pharmacy visit, just a 2 minute online consultation.'
CheqUp told the ASA that they believed the ad had been created in line with what had become widespread industry practice in the weight-loss sector.
They assured the ASA that the ad would not appear again.
Other providers who have had their ads banned include pharmacyonline.co.uk, HealthExpress.co.uk, Juniper UK, Cloud Pharmacy, and Phlo Clinic and SemaPen.
The ASA said the rulings established the advertising of named weight-loss drugs such as Wegovy, Mounjaro, Ozempic and Saxenda was banned, as was the use of various claims such as 'obesity treatment jab' and 'weight loss pen'.
In April, the ASA said a search in January found around 1,800 unique paid-for weight-loss ads which were identified as potentially advertising a prescription-only medicine.
It has published a joint Enforcement Notice with the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency and General Pharmaceutical Council, making clear that ads for named weight-loss prescription-only medications are prohibited, including online, on social media and by influencers.
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Contacts InventivaPascaline ClercEVP, Strategy and Corporate Affairsmedia@ 202 499 8937 ICR HealthcareMedia relations Alexis Feinberg inventivapr@ +1 203 939 2225 ICR HealthcarePatricia L. BankInvestor relations +1 415 513 1284 Important Notice This press release contains certain 'forward-looking statements' within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, included in this press release are forward-looking statements. These statements include, but are not limited to, Inventiva's clinical trials, including Inventiva's ongoing NATiV3 Phase 3 clinical trial of lanifibranor in MASH, including related timing and regulatory matters with respect thereto, clinical trial data releases and publications, the information, insights and impacts that may be gathered from clinical trials, the potential therapeutic benefits of Inventiva's product candidates, potential regulatory submissions, approvals and commercialization, the effective start date of Dr. Campagna and Mrs. Zimmerman, the clinical development of and regulatory plans and pathway for lanifibranor, and future activities, expectations, plans, growth and prospects of Inventiva. Certain of these statements, forecasts and estimates can be recognized by the use of words such as, without limitation, 'believes', 'anticipates', 'expects', 'intends', 'plans', 'seeks', 'estimates', 'may', 'will', 'would', 'could', 'might', 'should', 'designed', 'hopefully', 'target', 'potential', 'possible', 'aim', and 'continue' and similar expressions. Such statements are not historical facts but rather are statements of future expectations and other forward-looking statements that are based on management's beliefs. These statements reflect such views and assumptions prevailing as of the date of the statements and involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause future results, performance, or future events to differ materially from those expressed or implied in such statements. Actual events are difficult to predict and may depend upon factors that are beyond Inventiva's control. There can be no guarantees with respect to product candidates that the clinical trial results will be available on their anticipated timeline, that future clinical trials will be initiated as anticipated, that product candidates will receive the necessary regulatory approvals, or that any of the anticipated milestones by Inventiva or its partners will be reached on their expected timeline, or at all. 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Okay, Do I Really Need a Bath Water Filter?
Fact checked by Sarah Scott Many of us filter our tap water for better health, safety reasons, or because we prefer the taste. But it may surprise you that some people use a filter for their bath water, especially when they have young kids who take frequent baths. Using a bath water filter isn't for everyone but experts say it may have benefits, especially for little ones with sensitive skin. Let's take a close look at bath water filters—what they are, how they work, and whether using one is a good idea for your family. So, how exactly do you filter the water that goes into your bath? Most bath water filters on the market are quite simple, actually. They are small devices that you hang on your bathtub faucet, so that the water gets filtered as it flows into your bathtub. 'Bath water filters are devices designed to remove or reduce contaminants from tap water used in bathtubs,' explains David T. Dyjack, CIH, chief executive director at National Environmental Health Association. 'They typically attach to the faucet or sit in the tub and filter out unwanted biological and chemical contaminants.' Bath water filters are relatively easy to use, says Kelly Russum, owner of KC's 23 ½ Hour Plumbing & Air Conditioning, and a plumber with 46+ years experience. 'You just attach the filter to your tub spout every time you're going to use it, and before the water fills the bathtub, it passes through the media, becoming gentler and lower on chlorine on the output.' There are several different contaminants that bath water filters can potentially filter. While not all bath filters work the same, according to Dr. Dyjack, bath water filters may be able to filter out unwanted biological and chemical contaminants, including: Chlorine, a chemical added by public water facilities to disinfect water Chloramines, used to disinfect drinking water Heavy metals, such as lead Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) like benzene, toluene. and xylene Sediment and rust Some bacteria and other impurities, though this depends on the filtering type Bath water filters aren't for everyone, but they may have benefits for certain children, and for other members of the family, says Joshua R. Resa, MD, pediatrician at Hoag Medical Group. 'For children, especially those with sensitive skin or conditions such as eczema, using a bath filter may help reduce irritation or dryness,' he explains. Filtered bath water can also be helpful for children with allergies, or whose skin is just generally sensitive. On a broader note, using bath water filters can potentially improve water quality and reduce your exposure to certain unwanted chemicals. 'While not essential for every home, it's a simple step that may help support skin health and comfort,' Dr. Resa says. According to Dr. Dyjack, other potential benefits are that bath water filters may limit the inhalation of chlorine vapors during a warm bath or shower. Additionally, though there isn't hard evidence for this, manufacturers of bath filters say their customers report softer skin and hair, Dr. Dyjack notes. Finally, bath water filters may offer peace of mind for families who live with older plumbing or who live in areas with questionable water infrastructure, says Dr. Dyjack. Bath water filters aren't perfect, and they aren't for everyone. One downside of using one is that it will end up taking longer to draw your child's bath. "The drawbacks of using bath water filters are more about inconvenience—and the main one is time,' Russum says. 'If you use a bath water filter, you need to reduce the flow, meaning it might now take two times as long to fill your tub.' As Dr. Dyjack shares, other potential drawback include: Their effectiveness is limited. 'Bath filters don't purify water to the same extent as whole-house or drinking water systems/filters do,' Dr. Dyjack explains. 'They typically reduce (not eliminate) contaminants.' They require maintenance, as the filters need to be replaced every two or three months. Many aren't effective against microbial contaminants. Okay, so what's the bottom line here? Should you run out and buy a bath filter for your family? Is it actually necessary? Bath water filters may be a good idea if you have a child with sensitive skin or a skin condition like eczema, says Dr. Resa. Reducing exposure to irritants like chlorine can be helpful there. 'That said, they're not essential for every household,' Dr. Resa emphasizes. 'Prioritizing regular skin care and hydration remains key to keeping children's skin healthy, whether or not a filter is used.' If serious larger-scale filtering is what you are looking for, you might want to consider alternatives like a full-house or RO water purification system, says Russum. These are much more thorough and effective than bath water filters that you attach to your faucet. But they are also much more expensive. A bath water filter might be something to try if you or your child takes frequent baths and has sensitive skin. 'Filters can be particularly helpful for children with eczema, sensitive, or easily irritated skin, especially if you notice dryness or irritation after bathing,' Dr. Resa shares. 'If you're unsure, it's always a good idea to consult a pediatrician or dermatologist who can provide personalized guidance based on your child's specific needs.' Keep in mind that not all bath filters are the same. These are Dr. Dyjack's tips for selecting a reliable bath water filter: Pick a filter that's NSF-certified (the gold standard) Choose a filter that clearly states it removes chlorine and chloramines Select one that offers easy installation and filter replacement Make sure filter replacements are easy to purchase, as they'll need to be replaced every few months Read the original article on Parents
