ITV doctor Amir Khan is caught in a conflict-of-interest row after he praised weight-loss jabs on screen despite previously being paid £28,000 by their maker.
Dr Khan discussed semaglutide injections — offered by the NHS to tackle diabetes and sold under the brand names Wegovy and Ozempic — on Good Morning Britain on May 14.
The Sun on Sunday can reveal jabs’ manufacturer Novo Nordisk paid him consultancy fees of £12,112 in 2021, and £16,000 in 2020.
Dr Khan spoke to GMB hosts Susanna Reid and Ed Balls about recent research, funded by Novo Nordisk, which suggests the jabs could also cut the risk of heart attacks and strokes in people even if they fail to lose much weight.
GMB shared a video of his comments on X/Twitter, where it was watched by nearly a million people.
One viewer shared a screenshot of his payments and said: “This is a blatant conflict of interest. This ought to have been declared.”
A source close to Dr Khan said: “He didn’t make a link between the drugs and the manufacturer who paid him when he did the broadcast.
“He was paid to create a tutorial on managing diabetes, nothing to do with semaglutide.
“He didn’t even remember his relationship with them as it was three years ago.”
But GP Margaret McCartney said: “TV companies should make sure that if someone has a conflict of interest, it’s clearly stated and explained.”
Tory MP David Morris said: “Experts in any field must be transparent to avoid accusations of misleading the public and to maintain the integrity of the programme and broadcasting standards.”
GMB said: “On May 14 Dr Amir was reporting a fair, accurate and balanced analysis of research issued that day, which was widely covered in the media.
“He did not at any point advocate any drugs or medication.
“He went as far as to suggest that improving lifestyles is the best way to deal with health issues.
“Dr Amir has always worked within General Medical Council guidelines and hasn’t broken any Ofcom rules.”
