Black Friday sale of medical weight-loss treatment prompts concerns

"Peak eating disorder bodies are raising concerns about the rapid rollout of GLP-1 weight-loss treatments through telehealth, and what they describe as aggressive social media marketing by some companies. In one case, a company referred to "pesky Aussie laws" as having prevented it from providing more information about the medication to potential customers. The Australia and New Zealand Academy for Eating Disorders said it was concerned such marketing techniques could target people who might not need the medication."

""Very, very little medical monitoring, or medical history [is] being taken [by telehealth]," chief executive officer Jade Gooding said. Brisbane-based Ms Gooding said eating disorder groups were aware of people misusing the medication and accessing it when they should not have. "We hold concerns about how these particular medications are being prescribed by [telehealth providers]." International company Juniper is among their concerns, having run a recent Black Friday sale."

Health groups report concern about rapid telehealth distribution of GLP-1 weight-loss medications and aggressive social-media marketing that may reach people who do not need the drugs. One company referenced "pesky Aussie laws" as preventing fuller information to potential customers. Regulators and clinicians warn telehealth consultations often take very little medical history or monitoring, increasing risk of misuse. Eating disorder groups have observed people accessing these medications inappropriately. International provider Juniper, part of Eucalyptus, ran promotions including a Black Friday sale; company accounts show revenues doubled to $248 million while marketing costs almost tripled to $86.1 million.

Read at Abc