Brussels (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – The FAMHP warns Belgians against illegal GLP-1 analogues sold online, citing health risks. Prescription limits run until Nov 2025; authorities urge use only via licensed doctors and pharmacies.
As GVA News reported, the Federal Agency for Medicines and Health Products (FAMHP) has issued a warning about the illegal sale of so-called GLP-1 analogues in Belgium. These products are being promoted on social media as weight-loss medicines similar to prescription drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy.
AMHP stressed that these products are available in the marketplace without medical oversight and are not regulated. The agency expressed that consumers ordering these products online are putting their health in danger.
What risks do illegal GLP-1 drugs on social media pose in Belgium?
According to FAMHP, the illegal GLP-1 analogues lack quality control and traceability. There is no certainty regarding how they are manufactured, what substances they are composed of, or what amount should be taken.
There are health authorities who recommend that only medications prescribed by a doctor and dispensed legally should be taken. Consumers are also urged to report any suspicious online sales to help prevent the spread of unsafe medicines.
According to FAMHP, some advertisements have used their logo and the logos of other government bodies (e.g., FPS Public Health and INAMI) without permission. Authorities say that this creates a false impression of safety and that they are officially approved products.
“Do not make any payment and report the fraudulent content via the official consumer reporting centre,”
FAMHP say.
The Federal Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (FAGG) is actively working to remove these messages from the internet to prevent people from being exposed to unsafe medicines.
The Federal Agency for Medicines and Health Products (FAMHP) was established in 2007 to monitor medicines and health products in Belgium. It works under the Federal Public Service Health and ensures drugs are safe, effective, and properly manufactured. FAMHP checks pharmaceutical companies, inspects production, and tracks side effects.
In Belgium, the Federal Agency for Medicines and Health Products (FAMHP) has taken steps to control the use of GLP-1 medicines. In November 2023, the agency introduced prescription limits because supplies were low. These rules will stay in place until November 2025 to make sure patients who truly need the drugs can get them.
