The boom in weight loss injections has prompted the General Pharmaceutical Council to update its guidance for online pharmacies.

The 2026 Sunday Times Tech 100 list includes 23 companies in the life sciences arena, and in this article we focus on five in the software category.

MHRA urges caution over illegal medicines from beauty salons and social media

Protecting patients from fake online pharmacies and unsafe medicines is a critical issue that requires coordinated action. How can we ensure that patients can access medicines safely and with confidence? Join the fight against illegal online medicine sales and help make a difference in patient safety. #PatientSafety #OnlinePharmacies #HealthcareSecurity

Advertisements for GLP‑1 weight‑loss medications like Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, Zepbound and Foundayo have surged across the internet, spurred in part by high‑profile ads such as the 2026 Super Bowl commercial featuring Serena Williams. Rising demand has collided with high prices and limited insurance coverage, creating a booming online market for cheaper, often unregulated alternatives. Health services researchers warn that many of these offers are not for FDA‑approved brand‑name drugs but instead for “compounded” GLP‑1 products made by compounding pharmacies, which may alter ingredients, dosages or production conditions without the same rigorous testing and oversight. The FDA has alerted patients and clinicians to several risks, including counterfeit Ozempic, use of non‑approved substances such as retatrutide or cagrilintide, and products labeled as “not for human consumption.” As of 2024, the agency had logged over 1,000 adverse‑event reports linked to compounded semaglutide and tirzepatide, including nausea, vomiting, pancreatitis, gallstones and fainting. To buy safely, patients should first consult a primary care provider and follow medical guidelines on who qualifies for GLP‑1 drugs based on BMI and related conditions. When purchasing online, it is important to avoid compounded versions unless explicitly recommended, check whether the site actually sells FDA‑approved brand‑name products, and confirm that the pharmacy is licensed, U.S.‑based, and transparent about its location and regulatory status. Major red flags include no prescription requirement, minimal medical evaluation, unclear labeling, foreign packing, or the absence of clear, verifiable contact information.

The e-pharma market is projected to witness a CAGR of 15.51%, growing to US$133.369 billion by 2030 from US$64.870 billion in 2025.