WHAT WAS CLAIMED
GLP-1 weight-loss treatments available on Facebook have been approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA).
OUR VERDICT
False. The products have not been approved by the TGA, while approved GLP-1 drugs are prescription-only.
AAP FACTCHECK - Numerous weight-loss products being promoted on Facebook are not approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), despite claims online.
None of the Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 (GLP-1) products assessed by AAP FactCheck had been approved by the medicines regulator.
The images of some of the products appear to have been generated using artificial intelligence (AI).
GLP-1 is a naturally occurring gut hormone that's released after eating, which helps to lower blood glucose levels and can impact appetite.
The hormone is mimicked in medications, including Ozempic and Wegovy, and has been linked to weight loss.
These treatments are used for managing obesity and type 2 diabetes and are only available to Australian consumers with a prescription.
However, a number of Facebook pages are promoting supposed alternative GLP-1 drugs.
"Trusted, safe, and TGA-approved," one Facebook post reads.
"These pearls aren't just another supplement. They're a next-level solution for women and men ready to take control of their weight, energy and confidence."
A post on another page features a fake TGA certificate.
"When a product's been given the tick of approval by the TGA, it means it's passed a proper, fair dinkum check," the caption reads. "It's had to meet some seriously strict standards for safety, quality, and how well it works."
Another seller promotes a product that supposedly produces results with "no injections, no extreme workouts" and claims to be "compliant with TGA standards".
Despite claiming to be based at the University of Sydney, Facebook details reveal the page is managed from Hong Kong.
The TGA told AAP FactCheck that GLP-1 products must be approved for use and feature on the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods, and they can only be sold with a prescription.
The medicines regulator pointed out that none of the products feature a registration number on the packaging, as is required.
AAP FactCheck could not find any of the products on the register.
The TGA also said that advertisers are prohibited from using a government logo or implying that any government body, including the TGA, endorses a therapeutic product.
Some of the product packaging also appears to be AI-generated. In one image promoting the so-called Liquid Pearl Drops, a man is shown holding the product box in an oddly unnatural way.
The text on the box is garbled - a common hallmark of AI-generated imagery.
On September 29, a TGA safety alert was issued about increased imports of unregistered GLP-1 products.
It said GLP-1 medicines can only be used for weight management under medical supervision and using products purchased online could be potentially harmful.
"Do not use any GLP-1 labelled products unless advised or prescribed by a healthcare professional," the TGA said.
A spokesperson said the TGA would be instructing the Australian Border Force to seize and destroy any unregistered products intercepted at the border.
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