What social media posts have been banned by the ASA?

The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) has banned public social media posts that promoted weight-loss jabs, such as Mounjaro, often using discount codes and referral links.

Why are advertisements for weight-loss injections banned?

Weight-loss injections are prescription-only medicines and cannot be advertised directly to the public, as their promotion can be illegal and pose serious risks.

Who is responsible for following advertising rules for weight-loss jabs?

Both companies and individuals are responsible for adhering to advertising rules, and affiliate marketing does not exempt posts from these regulations.

Home / Health / Weight-Loss Jab Ads Banned on Social Media

Weight-Loss Jab Ads Banned on Social Media

11 Feb

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Summary

Social media posts for weight-loss jabs were banned by the regulator.
Posts used discount codes and referral links for prescription injections.
Public promotion of prescription medicines is illegal and risky.

Weight-Loss Jab Ads Banned on Social Media

The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) has banned the first public social media posts promoting weight-loss jabs, including Mounjaro. These posts, appearing on platforms like Instagram and TikTok, utilized discount codes and referral links to advertise injections available through online pharmacies such as Voy and Zava.

Weight-loss injections are classified as prescription-only medicines, making their direct advertisement to the public illegal. The ASA emphasized that affiliate or referral schemes, which reward individuals for sales generated through their links, do not exempt posts from advertising regulations, even on personal social media accounts.

The ASA's rulings established that brands and individuals are accountable for following advertising rules. Posts featuring direct naming of medicines, related hashtags, or images of injection pens, alongside incentives, were deemed public advertisements of prescription-only drugs.