Taylor Hampton Quoted in The Daily Telegraph
Anna Johnston, partner at Taylor Hampton Solicitors, was recently quoted in The Daily Telegraph in relation to our assistance of victims badly affected by weight loss drugs (“semaglutides” or “GLP-1”).
The rapid growth in the use of GLP-1 medication has transformed the treatment of obesity and type 2 diabetes, and is now taken routinely by thousands of people. Products such as Wegovy, Ozempic and Mounjaro are now widely prescribed or supplied through regulated online services.
This has resulted in drastic and noticeable weight loss for many users, and terms like ‘Ozempic face’ have been coined to describe the seemingly harmless cosmetic side-effects of rapid loss of fat. Some patients, however, have reported serious and life-changing complications.
A recent investigation published by The Daily Telegraph has highlighted the experiences of people who say they have suffered serious adverse reactions after taking GLP-1 medicines. These include significant gastrointestinal problems, pancreatitis and NAION (non-arteritic anterior ischaemic optic neuropathy), a serious condition affecting eyesight.
What are GLP-1 medicines?
GLP-1 receptor agonists, or semaglutide products, like Wegovy, Ozempic, Mounjaro and Saxenda, are drugs which mimic the action of naturally occurring hormones involved in appetite and blood sugar regulation.
The MHRA (Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency) states that the majority of reported side effects associated with GLP-1 medicines are gastrointestinal and are generally mild to moderate or short lived. However, it also recognises that more serious complications can occur. One of the more concerning side effects that has emerged is NAION, a serious eye condition that can cause the sudden loss of vision in one eye.
Non-arteritic anterior ischaemic optic neuropathy, or NAION, was first reported as a potential side effect in July 2024 by JAMA Ophthalmology, an American medical journal. It was not until June 2025 that the European Medicines Agency (“EMA”) issued an alert that NAION is a very rare side effect estimated to affect one person in every 10,000 people taking semaglutides.
The MHRA subsequently updated UK product information in February 2026 to include NAION and advised that patients experiencing sudden loss of vision or rapidly worsening eyesight while taking semaglutide should seek urgent medical attention.
By that point, of course, many thousands of users had been using semaglutide drugs for years, totally unaware of this life-changing side effect.
When might a medical product liability claim arise?
Contracting a serious side effect such as NAION does not automatically establish legal liability, which depends on a range of issues, including whether the product was defective, whether appropriate warnings were provided and whether there was a failure in the way the medicine was supplied or used.
This will require an investigation of medical records, prescription history, pharmacy records, details of the dosage taken and information about when symptoms first appeared.
An expert report may also be sought to establish a direct causal link between the medicine and the injury.
The circumstances surrounding the patient’s treatment will also be important. This will also consider the scientific and regulatory evidence available at the relevant time.
What could compensation potentially cover?
As Taylor Hampton partner Anna Johnston explains in The Daily Telegraph, where individuals have suffered serious effects from GLP-1 medicines the courts may consider damages for pain and suffering, the impact on daily life and relevant medical expenses as well as the cost of care.
The precise value of any claim will depend on the evidence and the individual circumstances of the person affected.
Taylor Hampton’s experience in medical product liability
Partner Anna Johnston and associate of the firm, Francis Leonard, act for a number of clients affected by Wegovy and have experience in medical negligence, personal injury and medical product liability claims.
What should you do if you believe a GLP-1 medicine has caused you harm?
If you believe you have suffered a serious injury or illness after taking a GLP-1 drug such as Wegovy, Ozempic or Mounjaro, it is important to seek appropriate medical advice.
Please retain any relevant documentation where at all possible. This may include any prescriptions, pharmacy records, medical records, correspondence with your healthcare provider and information supplied with the product or medicine.
Our experienced product liability team at Taylor Hampton Solicitors can assess the available evidence and advise whether there may be grounds for a claim.
Contact Taylor Hampton Solicitors
If you or a family member has suffered serious injury following the use of a GLP-1 medicine such as Wegovy, Ozempic or Mounjaro, Taylor Hampton Solicitors can advise you on your potential legal options.
Anna Johnston has experience in medical product liability, personal injury and medical negligence claims. Taylor Hampton can investigate the circumstances of an injury, consider the available evidence and advise on whether a claim for compensation may be appropriate. Please also see our Medical Negligence and Personal Injury page here: Personal Injury.
To discuss a potential medical product liability claim, contact Taylor Hampton Solicitors on 020 7427 5970 or email enquiries@taylorhampton.co.uk.
Disclaimer: This article provides general information only and does not constitute legal advice. The law relating to medical product liability, personal injury and limitation periods is complex and can change. Whether an individual has a viable claim will depend on the specific facts and evidence of their case. Anyone who believes they may have suffered injury as a result of a medicine or medical product should obtain independent legal advice as soon as possible.