Qatar health experts urge caution over use of weight-loss medicines

Doha, Qatar - Health authorities in Qatar are cautioning consumers about the use of weight-loss medicines and injections, urging them to verify that products are registered and obtained only from licensed sources. Dr. Latifa Al-Khayyat, from the Pharmacy and Drug Control Department at the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH), advised consumers to check the Ministry's website to confirm product licensing and registration in Qatar.

Products registered in Qatar undergo assessment and laboratory testing before being made available on the market, with laboratory reports reviewed to ensure safety and quality.

Dr. Al-Khayyat urged the public not to rely on personal experiences or social media promotions when purchasing medicines or therapeutic products. Instead, she recommended obtaining medicines from licensed establishments such as authorized pharmacies and healthcare institutions in Qatar. Consumers who have doubts about a product can contact the Pharmacy and Drug Control Department directly through the health sector hotline on 16000.

Dr. Aisha Saqr, a specialist in therapeutic nutrition and obesity, added that weight-loss injections should not be treated as products individuals can choose and use without medical guidance. Treatment of obesity with such injections should involve medical assessment and, if appropriate, a multidisciplinary team that may include specialists in internal medicine, endocrinology, nutrition, pharmacy, and laboratory testing.

Factors such as body mass index (BMI) and the presence of obesity-related health conditions, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and joint conditions, are considered when determining whether pharmacological treatment is appropriate. Dr. Saqr cautioned against people who have used slimming injections recommending the same treatment to others, emphasizing that medicines should be prescribed based on each patient's circumstances and obtained through pharmacies licensed by the MoPH.

The warning comes as weight-loss medicines and injections gain popularity, particularly on social media where users often share personal experiences and recommendations. Despite the growing interest, both Dr. Al-Khayyat and Dr. Saqr stressed that consumers should wait for medicines to undergo the regulatory process in Qatar rather than obtaining new treatments independently from overseas.