A London hospital trust has issued a warning after an AI-generated video purporting to show doctors promoting a weight loss patch was published online.
The videos, posted on social media platforms such as Facebook and TikTok, show two doctors in hospital scrubs applying patches to the stomach before it appears to lose weight over time.
Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust said the videos “falsely claim that many clinicians use and recommend these products” and were working to remove them.
The trust said in a statement: “We are aware of a number of videos circulating on social media promoting weight loss patches, falsely claiming that a number of clinicians use and endorse these products.
“We can confirm that these videos are fraudulent and that the names and people in the photographs are not members of our trust staff.
“We are working to remove these videos and encourage people to report them to the social media platforms where they appear.”
Dr Dhagni Rajasingam, the trust’s deputy chief medical officer, told the BBC that staff were “actively working” to remove the video.
“They are fraudulent and misleading. NHS clinicians would never endorse or promote commercial products like this,” she said.
The doctor urged people to seek health advice on weight loss from “reliable NHS sources”.
“We need to realize that AI-generated images can be very good,” she added.
It is understood that the product advertised is a “natural herbal product”.
One in 10 people in the UK say they would buy weight loss drugs from platforms such as Facebook and TikTok, or from unregistered sellers online, if they couldn’t get a prescription from a doctor or pharmacy, according to a recent survey.
This comes as pharmacists predict a surge in demand for the drug in the new year and health authorities warn of the risks associated with buying products on social media.
A poll of 2,161 adults conducted by Ipsos for the Press Association found that 26% would only take a weight loss jab if prescribed by a doctor and 16% would only take it if they obtained it in person at a pharmacy or online.
However, 10% said they buy online through social media platforms (5%) and from retailers that are not registered manufacturers or pharmacies (5%).
“As our analysis shows, we expect to see a sharp increase in the number of patients starting weight management treatments in the new year,” said Olivier Piccard, president of the American Pharmacy Association.
“However, there is a risk that some unscrupulous fake sellers will emerge, with criminals looking to take advantage of this and obtain cash.
“Unregulated sellers are not only breaking the law, they can also cause serious harm to your health.
“These scams are becoming increasingly sophisticated, so it is vital that patients looking to start weight management treatment only go to regulated pharmacies online or in person on the high street.
“Community pharmacies can provide patients with the care they need to achieve sustainable weight loss through comprehensive support and careful lifestyle changes, if they qualify for treatment.”
