In its latest bid to solve the shortage of semaglutide (Ozempic), the TGA is threatening jail time and up to $1.1m in fines to social media influencers who continue to promote the drug for weight loss.

The watchdog is highlighting the consequences of illegally advertising semaglutide, with TikTok videos encouraging use of the diabetes medication as an off-label weight loss aid considered a major contributor to the global shortage of the drug.

“Advertising to the public is a contravention of the Act that can result in jail time,” the TGA said in a statement late last month. 

In addition, the regulator pointed to criminal fines of $888,000 for individuals and $4.44 million for corporations, and civil penalties of up to $1.11 million for individuals and $11.1 million for corporations.