Taiwan's drug regulator is cracking down on popular "skinny jabs" after dozens of harmful reactions, bad news for people buying the shots without a doctor.

• Weight-loss injections using semaglutide and tirzepatide (the ingredients behind drugs like Ozempic and Mounjaro) are hugely popular in Taiwan, but 48 adverse reactions have now been reported.
• Symptoms range from stomach problems, kidney damage and low blood sugar to serious cases like seizures, fainting, blurred vision and a suspected eye stroke.
• Many people got the drugs through unofficial channels and used them without any medical advice, which regulators blame for the harm.
• The food and drug agency now forces drug license holders to file a risk assessment and management plan within three months, including clear patient guides and warnings to doctors and pharmacists.

Outlook: Expect tighter controls and safety warnings on these shots, with pressure on people to only use them under a doctor's supervision.