Labour MP Carolyn Harris says unregulated weight-loss injections sold online or through beauty salons can be life-threatening.
A Labor Member of Parliament who lost almost 10 stone after using a prescribed weight-loss injection has spoken openly about her experience and issued a strong warning to others. She says people who buy unregulated slimming injections online or from beauty salons are putting their lives at serious risk.
Carolyn Harris, the MP Warns for Neath and Swansea East, says her dramatic weight loss helped improve her health and mobility. However, she stresses that her treatment was carefully managed by medical professionals. She believes too many people are now turning to unsafe sources without proper checks, which she describes as extremely dangerous.
A Life-Changing Decision
Carolyn Harris began using the weight-loss drug Monaro in October 2024. At the time, she weighed a size 24 and was struggling with everyday movement. Within months, she had dropped to a size 10. The physical change was significant, but she says the real motivation was her health, not appearance.
At 65 years old, Harris says her weight had begun to limit her ability to do her job properly. Walking around her constituency had become difficult, and everyday tasks were turning into challenges.
She explains that the decision to seek medical help came after a painful moment during a walk in Swansea. While taking part in an event to mark International Menopause Day, she found she could not complete a walk around a local lake.
Struggling With Mobility
Harris says that before starting treatment, she was finding it harder each week to move around freely. As an MP, she spends a lot of time meeting people, attending events, and walking long distances. Over time, this became increasingly exhausting and frustrating.
She explains that the situation reached a point where she worried about her ability to continue serving her constituents properly. “I was struggling to walk around my own area,” she said. “That is not something you can ignore when your job depends on being out and about.” The weight-loss injection, prescribed by a GP, helped her regain mobility. She says she can now walk comfortably again and feels more confident physically.
Taking the Safe Route
Harris is clear that she did not take shortcuts. She says she made sure her treatment was handled through proper medical channels. She chose private treatment but only after consulting a GP and completing the necessary health checks.
“I made sure I went through a doctor,” she said. “I did not just go online and order something. I wanted everything checked properly.” She believes this step is vital and worries that many people skip it. With weight-loss injections becoming widely discussed on social media, some people are buying them without understanding what they are taking.
A Warning About Unregulated Drugs
Harris has been outspoken about the risks of unregulated weight-loss injections. She says people who buy these drugs from unknown sources do not know what they are putting into their bodies. “The people who do this are playing Russian roulette with their lives,” she said. “They have no idea what they might be injecting.” She says this terrifies her and believes stronger public awareness is needed. Harris worries that the growing popularity of these drugs is creating a dangerous market where safety is ignored.
Impact of Online Abuse
Alongside her health struggles, Harris says she has faced years of harsh and personal abuse online. She says trolls often focused on her weight and appearance rather than her political work. She describes the criticism as constant and cruel.
“How I looked or what I wore became more important than what I stood for,” she said in an interview with BBC Radio Wales Breakfast. Harris admits that while she can be tough when defending others or fighting for a cause, personal attacks still hurt deeply. he says the abuse played a role in pushing her to make changes, but she is clear that health was the main reason for seeking treatment.
A Call for Responsible Use
Despite her own success, Harris does not believe weight-loss injections should be used casually or for cosmetic reasons alone. She says they should only be taken when there is a genuine health need and under medical supervision. She worries that social media has made these drugs seem like an easy fix.
“This is not something people should take lightly,” she said. “It is not about quick results or fitting into smaller clothes.” Harris says medical guidance is essential and urges people to think carefully before using such treatments.
Growing Concerns From Pharmacists
The National Pharmacy Association has recently raised concerns about the sharp rise in demand for drugs like Monaro and Ozempic. The group says more people are turning to unsafe sources, including beauty salons and social media sellers.
Pharmacists warn that this trend increases the risk of serious side effects and misuse. Without proper checks, people may take incorrect doses or use the drug despite underlying health conditions. Experts say that weight-loss injections can have strong effects on the body and are not suitable for everyone.
Differences in Regulation
Rules around prescribing weight-loss injections differ between England and Wales. In England, anyone who prescribes these treatments must be registered with the Care Quality Commission. In Wales, the system is different. Only doctors are required to register with Healthcare Inspectorate Wales. Other healthcare professionals are not legally required to meet the same inspection standards. Some experts believe this gap in regulation creates risks. They argue it allows unsafe providers to operate without enough oversight. Critics say the system needs updating to protect patients better.
Risk of a Black Market
Health experts warn that weak regulation can encourage an illegal market for prescription drugs. When demand rises and access is limited, some people turn to unlicensed sellers. These sellers may offer fake or contaminated products. In some cases, drugs may be incorrectly stored or mixed with harmful substances. Doctors say the risks include serious illness and long-term damage. Harris believes this situation is unacceptable and says more must be done to protect people.
Government Response
The Welsh government has responded to concerns by stating that weight-loss injections like Monaro are prescription-only medicines. Officials say they should only be used under the guidance of trained and registered healthcare professionals.
The government warns that buying prescription medicines from unregulated sources poses a major risk to public safety. “No one should purchase prescription-only medicines from unverified suppliers,” a spokesperson said. The statement also says healthcare professionals must follow strict standards when prescribing such treatments.
A Personal but Public Message
Harris says she decided to speak openly about her experience because she wants to help others avoid harm. While she is pleased with the improvements to her health, she does not want her story to encourage unsafe behavior. She says people should not feel pressured by social media trends or public figures. “What worked for me may not be right for someone else,” she said. “Everyone’s health is different.”
Living With the Attention
Since her weight loss became public, Harris says she has received mixed reactions. Some people have been supportive, while others continue to focus on her appearance. She says this reflects a wider problem in politics, especially for women. “Too often, how women look is judged more than what they do,” she said. Harris hopes the conversation can move toward health, safety, and respect rather than criticism.
Looking Ahead
Now that her mobility has improved, Harris says she feels more confident in her role as an MP. She can walk longer distances and take part in community events without pain. She says the experience has reminded her of the importance of accessible healthcare and proper regulation. Harris believes her story highlights both the potential benefits and serious risks of weight-loss injections.
Conclusion
Carolyn Harris’s journey shows how medical treatment, when used responsibly, can improve quality of life. At the same time, her warning highlights a growing public health concern. Weight-loss injections are powerful medications, not lifestyle products. Without proper checks and medical guidance, they can cause serious harm. Harris hopes her message is clear. “If people are thinking about this,” she said, “they must do it the right way, or not at all.” Her story serves as a reminder that health decisions should be guided by doctors, not trends, and that safety must always come first.
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