Doctors across the UAE have warned residents against purchasing peptide injections from online sellers after regulators intensified action against illegal promotions of the products. Medical experts say the biggest danger is not just counterfeit medicines but also the growing number of people injecting powerful substances without proper medical evaluation.
The warning follows a recent enforcement drive by the Emirates Drug Establishment (EDE), which targeted online sellers and influencers promoting unapproved peptide-based products, many marketed as weight-loss and anti-ageing treatments.
The EDE dealt with 71 sources associated with the promotion or sale of unlicensed peptides. The agency also referred 14 social media celebrities to the National Media Office for violation of online promotion rules for drugs.
The EDE started inspections across the country at pharmacies while monitoring online sources regarding the sale of medicines illegally. Officials highlighted that licensed pharmaceutical warehouses under EDE supervision have not been found distributing unauthorized peptide products.
Physicians say they are seeing more patients who obtain peptide injections through social media, online vendors, or recommendations from friends instead of consulting healthcare professionals.
Healthcare specialists say social media has created unrealistic expectations by portraying peptide injections as quick solutions for weight loss, muscle growth, faster recovery, and healthy ageing.
They caution that influencer marketing often exaggerates benefits while overlooking the limited scientific evidence supporting many peptide-based therapies. The desire for rapid physical transformation continues to drive demand despite the medical risks.
The EDE urged residents to purchase medicines only from licensed pharmacies and authorized healthcare providers. Users of experimental peptide therapies, including products such as Retatrutide, remain unapproved for medical use in the UAE.
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