UNITED KINGDOM / AGILITYPR.NEWS / April 28, 2025 / As the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA), MHRA, and GPhC take action to clamp down on the irresponsible promotion of weight loss drugs online, Well by Vertis is speaking out in support of tougher enforcement - and to remind everyone involved of the importance of clinical ethics over monetary gain.

In recent weeks, the ASA confirmed it has launched 11 investigations into companies breaching rules around the advertising of prescription-only weight loss medications (POMs) such as semaglutide and tirzepatide. The regulator, alongside the MHRA and GPhC, is responding to a surge in non-compliant social media promotions, influencer marketing, and misleading claims that bypass both the letter and spirit of UK advertising law.

While some providers rush to update their terms and quietly remove referral code campaigns, Well by Vertis maintains that such activity never had a place in responsible healthcare - and that it should not have taken an investigation to curb it.

“It has not been easy to launch a weight management service while staying fully aligned with regulations, especially when the market is flooded with companies ignoring the rules,” said Claire Goodall, CEO of Well by Vertis. 

“But this was never about taking the easy road. From day one, we’ve made it our mission to do this properly - offering only medically appropriate treatment, with full clinical oversight and no gimmicks. The risks of shortcutting the process, especially where powerful medications are concerned, are simply too high and never worth taking.

"Prescription medications like Wegovy and Mounjaro are powerful tools designed for individuals living with obesity and related health conditions, not a quick fix - nor a product to be marketed with influencer discount codes or promises of rapid transformation."

The updated guidance from the ASA reinforces that POMs must never be advertised to the public, either directly or indirectly. Brands may not refer to specific weight loss outcomes, use before-and-after imagery, or promote treatment via referral schemes and influencer content. These measures are not only legal obligations: they are also fundamental protections for public health.

At Well by Vertis, all patients undergo a thorough, evidence-based clinical assessment to determine eligibility, followed by structured support and continuous monitoring. The service focuses on long-term, sustainable health outcomes, not superficial weight loss metrics or sales-driven incentives.

As regulatory bodies sharpen their focus, Well by Vertis stands firm: ethics must lead, always.

For more information, visit https://www.wearewell.org.uk.