Deaths Reported to Drug Watchdog Over Weight-Loss Injection Concerns
The deaths of two individuals in Northern Ireland have been reported to the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) due to a potential link with weight-loss injections.
These two fatalities are part of over 500 suspected adverse drug reaction reports related to GLP-1 medications submitted from Northern Ireland in the past two years.
GLP-1 drugs, marketed under brand names such as Wegovy and Mounjaro, are widely prescribed across the UK for weight management and diabetes treatment.
The MHRA clarified that a report of a suspected reaction does not confirm causation by the medicine but indicates that the reporter suspected a possible connection.
"Underlying or concurrent illnesses may be responsible, or the events could be coincidental,"
the agency added.
The data reveals the two deaths involved a man and a woman, one in their 40s and the other in their 60s, though it does not specify which age corresponds to which individual.
These reports were disclosed following a Freedom of Information request and cover suspected reactions reported in Northern Ireland during 2024 and 2025.
Healthcare professionals submitted 82% of the 511 suspected adverse drug reaction reports.
Regarding the two fatal cases, one involved Mounjaro (tirzepatide), while the other was linked to an unspecified semaglutide medication, which is sold under brand names including Wegovy, Ozempic, and Rybelsus.
Additionally, six cases of acute pancreatitis were reported over the two years: three suspected from Mounjaro, one from Ozempic, and two from unspecified brands.
In January, the MHRA issued a warning about the risk of acute pancreatitis, a condition often associated with gallstones, a common side effect of GLP-1 drugs.
Recent research from University College London estimates that approximately 1.6 million adults in England, Scotland, and Wales used GLP-1s for weight loss between early 2024 and early 2025.
What Does the Data Show About Weight-Loss Injections?
The MHRA monitors suspected safety concerns through its Yellow Card scheme, which allows both healthcare professionals and the public to report adverse drug reactions.
In Northern Ireland, 458 of the 511 reports were registered in 2025, compared to 53 in 2024.
Besides the two fatal outcomes, there were 242 serious reports and 267 non-serious reports. One serious report involved a child aged nine or under.
Each Yellow Card report can include multiple suspected reactions for a single individual.
The MHRA emphasized that patient safety remains its top priority and that it will act promptly to mitigate any confirmed safety risks.
"New drugs, such as GLP-1s, are more 'intensively monitored' to ensure that any new safety issues are quickly identified and as the use of those drugs increase 'so have the number of Yellow Card reports associated with these medicines'."
The MHRA also noted it does not hold information on whether the medications linked to reports from Northern Ireland were prescribed, purchased from pharmacies, or obtained from illegitimate suppliers.
Access to Weight-Loss Injections
In Great Britain, some individuals can receive these injections on the NHS for weight management or diabetes treatment.
In Northern Ireland, NHS access is limited to people with type 2 diabetes meeting specific criteria. Others may access the drugs privately through pharmacies if they qualify medically based on a body mass index (BMI) over 30, classified as obese.
Government guidance warns that the MHRA has not evaluated the safety and effectiveness of GLP-1s used outside their licensed indications, such as weight loss in individuals who are not obese or overweight.
At Joanne McMullan's weight-loss clinic at Portaferry Pharmacy, approximately 50 patients aged 18 to 75 pay privately for weight-loss injections. Mounjaro is the most commonly prescribed drug, costing between £200 and £300 per month.
Joanne McMullan, the National Pharmacy Association Board representative for Northern Ireland, reported observing positive effects among patients.
"One lady lost over five stone to be able to have a knee replacement operation. People who were sedentary can now do exercise,"
she said.
Common side effects include bloating and discomfort, which some patients tolerate. Mounjaro often causes digestive issues when starting or increasing doses, which usually subside.
McMullan cautioned patients to watch for signs of more serious conditions such as gall bladder problems or pancreatitis.
"I am concerned about the longer-term side effects because we don't yet have any data on people using them for many years,"
she added.
"But for the people we are seeing who can now do a bit of exercise, they can walk, they feel they are getting their life back - at the moment, it does seem to be worth it for them."
Health Officials' Responses
NI inquired with the Department of Health whether Health Minister Mike Nesbitt was aware of the deaths reported to the MHRA and what actions had been taken; the department did not respond to these questions.
The Department of Health emphasized the importance of reporting suspected side effects and adverse incidents to the Yellow Card scheme and stated it regularly engages with the MHRA to disseminate drug safety information to healthcare professionals, including recent guidance on the safe use of GLP-1 medicines.
The department did not provide a timeline for the launch of the new regional obesity management service, which was scheduled to open in early 2026. This service would make GLP-1s available on the NHS in Northern Ireland for weight loss.
The Coroners Service for Northern Ireland stated that, based on limited information provided, it had not identified any cases reported to the coroner where GLP-1s were referred to as contributing to a death.
Eli Lilly, manufacturer of Mounjaro, stated that patient safety is its "top priority," and that it actively reports safety information to the MHRA while encouraging healthcare professionals and others to report via the Yellow Card scheme.
"The MHRA has stated that Yellow Card reports 'have not been proved to be related to the drug, and should not be interpreted as a list of known side effects'."
Novo Nordisk, producer of Wegovy and Ozempic, also emphasized that patient safety is "of the utmost importance".
The company stated that these drugs should be taken for their approved indications under healthcare professional supervision, and anyone experiencing side effects should report them to their doctor and the MHRA Yellow Card scheme.
