Online pharmacies, medical spas, and diet clinics are capitalizing on the surge of interest in weight-loss drugs Ozempic and Wegovy, running thousands of ads on social media platforms, NBC News reports.
Surge in Ads: More than 4,000 active ad campaigns in the U.S. mentioning semaglutide, the drugs’ active ingredient, were found on Facebook and Instagram alone. This heavy marketing surpasses even that of Viagra, a long-time favorite of online marketers.
Consumer Reaction: While some consumers find the ads amusing, others express anger and frustration, feeling inundated with ads suggesting they could benefit from the drug. The surge in ads comes amidst increased scrutiny of Instagram over its potential contribution to body image issues and eating disorders among young women.
