Arrests after woman fell ill using weight loss jab

Three women have been arrested after a woman fell seriously ill after using a weight loss jab allegedly sourced from a North Yorkshire salon.

North Yorkshire Police said the woman, from Selby, had had been treated in intensive care for suspected internal injuries earlier this month, but had since been discharged.

The force said two women aged 32 and 37, had been arrested on suspicion of causing or administering a poison while a 58-year-old woman was held on suspicion of supplying a prescription only medicine. All three women, also from Selby, have been released on bail.

Following the incident, Humber and North Yorkshire Integrated Care Board issued a warning about the potential risks of using weight loss medicines bought from private clinics or online.

The woman is one of three people who became unwell following the use of a weight loss jab, a spokesperson said.

Laura Angus, chief pharmacy officer of the care board, said: "There has been a lot of attention in the media and on social media about these so-called 'skinny jabs', but as with any medicines bought outside of legitimate supply chains, the contents may not match the ingredients on the label.

"If you use such products you could be putting your health at serious risk.

"The only way to guarantee you receive a genuine weight-loss medicine is to obtain it from a legitimate pharmacy – including those trading online – using a prescription issued by a healthcare professional."

Michael Harrison, North Yorkshire Council's executive member for health and adult services, urged people to "pursue their health goals in a safe way".

"You can access lots of free tools to support you to make healthy changes, including getting active and losing weight, on the NHS Better Health website," he said.

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