Weight loss jab alert as ban decision made after 'irresponsible' move

Weight loss jab alert as ban decision made after 'irresponsible' moveThe Advertising Standards Authority made the decisionCommentsNewsSteven Smith Content Editor06:23, 08 Apr 2026View 3 ImagesThe adverts were found to not meet standards(Image: Олег Буянов via Getty Images)An update has been issued by an authority in relation to weight loss injections. Adverts for an online pharmacy have been prohibited for marketing prescription-only weight-loss medication to the public and exploiting new mothers' body image insecurities.‌The Instagram and Facebook advertisements for Juniper also generated an inappropriate sense of urgency for those contemplating medicated weight-loss programmes, while posts in weight-loss support groups on Facebook failed to clearly indicate they were sponsored by the advertiser, the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) ruled.‌In one of the Facebook adverts, seen in October, a caption read: "I probably needed a hug, but I decided to start a medicated weightloss (sic) journey with Juniper instead and I really didn't expect it to bring so much more than progress on the scales. For me it's about my confidence returning, the energy I thought I'd lost and a reminder that showing up for myself was always worth it."‌A video displayed various clips of a woman caring for her baby, walking with a pram, posing for a photograph and standing in a locker room holding a protein shake bottle. The ASA questioned whether the advert suggested new mothers should prioritise weight loss after giving birth, which exploited their body image insecurities and was therefore irresponsible, and promoted prescription-only medicines to the public.View 3 ImagesAds for an online pharmacy have been banned for promoting prescription-only weight-loss medication to the public and exploiting new mothers' insecurities about body image(Image: James Manning/PA Wire )Juniper stated it disputed that the advert encouraged new mothers to prioritis...