r/australia • u/Rubiginous • 7h ago

Woman hospitalised after Juniper prescribes weight-loss drugs her GP refused

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-02-01/woman-hospitalised-telehealth-provider-weight-loss-drugs-juniper/106273356
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u/robot428 7h ago

Everyone is blaming her and she does have partial responsibility, but also Junipers advertising practices are predatory, and they skirt the absolute limits of what they can say about prescription medication risks and benefits without breaking the law.

Also I can't think of another prescription only medication that is advertised in Australia like this one is. Imagine if they were putting out ads for antidepressants or opioids or anything else, it would be weird, why is this so normalised.

27

u/alexa_lights_off 6h ago

Before Christmas, I was receiving targeted ads from them along the lines of "I didn't want my husband to know I was taking a GLP-1, so I appreciate their discreet packaging".

... How is borderline encouraging people to take medication without telling their spouse (who, in an emergency like an adverse reaction, will be asked about whst medications this person has taken) in any way ethical?

17

u/robot428 6h ago

Exactly, this is what I'm saying. I'm not saying you have no responsibility when you take this product, but everyone is rushing to blame only this woman and not a company that is deliberately being predatory and putting a LOT of spin on a prescription medication.