16-Year-Old Illegally Sold Weight-Loss Drug Without ID Verification

16-Year-Old Illegally Sold Weight-Loss Drug Without ID Verification

In a shocking revelation, high street stores in the UK have been found selling weight-loss jabs to underage customers without adequate proof of identification.

A recent investigation revealed that a trusted high street chemist, sold Wegovy—a prescription-only weight loss drug—to a 16-year-old undercover reporter, not once, but twice. This alarming oversight underscores the urgent need for stricter age verification policies in stores and online platforms.

A Teenager Purchases Weight-Loss Drug Illegally

The operation, led by journalist Ellie Flynn, highlighted significant flaws in Boots’ procedures. A teenage schoolgirl, acting as part of the investigation, applied for the prescription using the Boots online doctor system. While she provided a falsified date of birth, all other details, including her name, address, and GP’s name, were accurate. Despite these red flags, the application was approved, and the teenager was able to collect the prescription within days.

Shockingly, the store failed to contact her GP, which is meant to serve as an additional safety measure. Furthermore, she was not asked to provide photographic ID either during the online process or at the point of collection. This failure occurred twice.

Safe Guarding Our Young People

This incident raises serious questions about the safety measures employed by trusted pharmacies and their responsibility to prevent the misuse of medications. Wegovy, like other weight-loss jabs, has been heralded for its benefits when prescribed appropriately. However, the ease with which these drugs can fall into the hands of underage individuals poses significant risks, particularly in a society where body image issues among teenagers are escalating.

Research indicates that around 50% of 13-year-old girls report being unhappy with their bodies. This figure rises to nearly 80% by age 17, with many experts pointing to social media as a driving force behind this trend. The accessibility of weight-loss drugs to teenagers could exacerbate these issues, encouraging unhealthy practices and self-medication without medical oversight.

Ellie Flynn, reflecting on the investigation, stated, “I was really, really surprised by how easy it was, and the fact that it happened more than once shows there is real cause for concern. I think we have to be really careful about the way children might see these drugs and might want to get their hands on them because of what they can see on social media.”

A Call for Stricter Compliance Measures

The findings serve as a wake-up call for stricter compliance and monitoring mechanisms in the pharmaceutical industry. It is vital that businesses enforce robust age verification policies, both online and in-store, to prevent the misuse of prescription drugs.

At Serve Legal, the UK and Ireland’s leading age verification compliance testing service, we emphasise the importance of proactive measures to prevent such incidents. With nearly two decades of experience, we offer insights and support to businesses to ensure compliance before regulatory bodies intervene.

While medications like Wegovy have the potential to improve lives when prescribed appropriately, their accessibility to underage individuals without proper safeguards is unacceptable. This incident underscores the urgent need for high street stores and online platforms to prioritize rigorous age verification processes. Protecting young people from misuse of such medications should be a non-negotiable standard, ensuring their safety and well-being in an era of increasing societal pressures.

For guidance on improving age verification practices, reach out to Serve Legal today to ensure your business is compliant and your customers are protected.