Weight Loss Jabs and Reported Deaths
Posted on August 7, 2026 by Sally-Anne Turner
What the Latest MHRA Data Really Means
If you follow Sky News, you've seen it. The article talking about hundreds of deaths being linked to weight loss jabs by the MHRA.
If you are looking into weight loss medications in the UK, our team at the Bodyline Clinic would not be surprised if this title sent you into a blind panic. Or, if you are on weight loss jabs, you may be considering stopping them altogether.
We understand both perspectives. We really do.
Take a deep breath. Let's break the numbers down and explore what has been reported.
The Figures: What Are They?
The article states that the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has had the following reported under their Yellow Card Scheme:
- 200 deaths suspected of being linked to weight loss jabs.
- 106,189 adverse reactions, including gastrointestinal problems and 120 deaths linked to Mounjaro (tirzepatide).
- 48,089 reactions and 59 deaths have been linked to Ozempic and Wegovy (semaglutide).
- A total of 4,491 adverse reactions and 37 deaths have been linked to Saxenda (liraglutide).
Those are sobering numbers. However, as is the way with all statistics, they are not necessarily as clear-cut as they appear to be. A Yellow Card report highlights a suspected adverse event that happened after someone took a medication. It does not prove that a set medication caused illnesses or death.
Indeed, the MHRA itself stresses that all GLP-1 medications are safe to take, provided that they are prescribed appropriately.
Clinical Oversight is a Must
These figures highlight that clinical oversight and management are not an additional add-on to the treatment. They are essential.
GLP-1s carry side effects like:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhoea
- Constipation
As with any medication, adverse side effects have been noted across the board, even in clinical trials. The issue is scale. The number of people in the UK taking GLP-1s is higher than could be possible in a clinical study. So, there will be a higher number of people with adverse side effects reported, more so if the drugs are obtained online without correct supervision or clinical care.
Here are the stats from the Phase III trials of all the medications listed in the Sky News article, related to pancreatitis and gastrointestinal issues, showing how often both occurred in participants.
Mounjaro (tirzepatide) had acute pancreatitis rates of approximately 0.2% and adverse GI effects of 27.8–72.8% (dose dependent). Wegovy (semaglutide) had acute pancreatitis at approximately 0.2% and adverse GI effects of 72.9%. Ozempic (semaglutide) had acute pancreatitis below 0.3% and adverse GI effects of approximately 33–44%. Saxenda (liraglutide) had acute pancreatitis at approximately 0.3% and adverse GI effects of approximately 65–70%.
GLP-1s and The Future of Obesity Treatments
For those who live with obesity, the evidence of GLP-1 medication is positive.
The clinical trials above highlight that GLP-1 medications can lead to significant weight loss, improve blood sugar and reduce the risk of secondary health issues related to obesity.
Should these medications be avoided? No. But they do need to be prescribed by licensed healthcare professionals, who offer clinically supported screening and regular monitoring. These should also only be prescribed by teams who can offer fast intervention if someone is having adverse side effects or by a clinical team who can spot issues early before they escalate.
Final Thoughts from the Bodyline Clinic
Our team at the Bodyline Clinic offer GLP-1 weight loss medications to people who want to hit their weight loss goals. However, we offer strict, clinical guidance in line with MHRA guidelines to ensure that everyone who comes to us wanting to lose weight receives the care and supervision they need to do this safely. There has also been no data released from the MHRA to highlight how many of those in this data set had underlying health conditions that may not have been monitored correctly by providers.
This is not an excuse for the deaths that have been allegedly caused by the GLP-1s. Rather, it should highlight to clinics and private pharmacies across the country that more clinical care and monitoring has to be provided.
As is the way with all prescription medications, safety is paramount.
Sources
Jastreboff AM, Aronne LJ, Ahmad NN, Wharton S, Connery L, Alves B, et al. Tirzepatide Once Weekly for the Treatment of Obesity. New England Journal of Medicine. 2022;387(3):205–216. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa2206038.
Wilding JPH, Batterham RL, Calanna S, Davies M, Van Gaal LF, Lingvay I, et al. Once-Weekly Semaglutide in Adults with Overweight or Obesity. New England Journal of Medicine. 2021;384(11):989–1002. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa2032183.
Wharton S, Calanna S, Davies M, Dicker D, Goldman B, Lingvay I, et al. Gastrointestinal tolerability of once-weekly semaglutide 2.4 mg in adults with overweight or obesity: data from the STEP programme. Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism. 2022;24(9):1775–1785.
Marso SP, Bain SC, Consoli A, Eliaschewitz FG, Jódar E, Leiter LA, et al. Semaglutide and Cardiovascular Outcomes in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes. New England Journal of Medicine. 2016;375(19):1834–1844. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa1607141.
Pi-Sunyer X, Astrup A, Fujioka K, Greenway F, Halpern A, Krempf M, et al. A Randomized, Controlled Trial of 3.0 mg of Liraglutide in Weight Management. New England Journal of Medicine. 2015;373(1):11–22. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa1411892.
Wegovy (semaglutide) prescribing information. Silver Spring, MD: FDA; updated 2024.
