A Somerset GP is urging caution among individuals tempted to purchase weight loss drugs online. Dr. Ulrike Naumann, a specialist in obesity and weight management, warns that many products available through unregulated online sellers are counterfeit, unsafe, and could threaten health.
Rising demand for weight loss solutions—amplified by social media influences—has led some to bypass professional medical advice in favor of quick, easy online purchases. Dr. Naumann emphasizes that safe and effective weight loss requires more than medication alone. It demands comprehensive medical supervision, including behavioural support, nutrition guidance, physical activity, and mental wellbeing monitoring.
“Obesity is a complex, long-term condition often misunderstood and stigmatized. It’s not solved by quick fixes,” Dr. Naumann explained. “Using weight loss drugs without medical oversight puts people at risk of taking inappropriate or harmful products.”
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To provide safe, expert care, Dr. Naumann will head a new weight management clinic at the Kingston Wing—Yeovil Hospital’s private unit. The clinic offers a structured programme for fee-paying patients, with all profits redirected to the NHS. This initiative complements existing NHS obesity services rather than replacing them.
Dr. Naumann highlighted that patients receiving professional support with weight loss medication are more likely to continue treatment and achieve long-term success. In contrast, over half of those who self-manage stop treatment within a year.
Weight-loss injections such as glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) mimic natural hormones that regulate blood sugar and insulin. Initially developed to treat type 2 diabetes, drugs like semaglutide (Wegovy) and tirzepatide (Mounjaro) are now recommended on the NHS for obesity management.
These medications are approved by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) for individuals with a body mass index (BMI) above 30—or over 27 with weight-related health conditions. The NHS typically offers Mounjaro to patients with a BMI over 40 who have at least four co-morbidities.
Those interested in learning more about the Kingston Wing’s weight management clinic can contact 01935 384234 or email [email protected].