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New guidelines for online weight loss medication
People may be worried that they will no longer be able to receive online prescriptions for weight loss medication.
The General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) released new rules this week for the prescription of weight loss medications. Weight loss medications such as Mounjaro, which is the brand name for tirzepatide, and Wegovy, which is the brand name for semaglutide, have until now been available from online pharmacies directly, for people seeking treatment for weight loss, without the need to see a doctor or have a consultation. These are prescription only medicines, which means they can only be supplied when they have been prescribed by an appropriate practitioner such as a doctor, or a nurse independent prescriber or pharmacist independent prescriber.
There have been multiple reports in the media about patients who have been prescribed weight loss medication when it has not been safe to do so, and from reporters who have obtained the medication after lying about their weight. Safety concerns, along with concerns raised by other agencies including the National Pharmacy Association and leading doctors, have contributed to the development of these guidelines.
The new guidelines which are effective immediately make it essential for prescribers to get enough information from a person to make sure such prescriptions are safe and appropriate. Online questionnaires or photographs submitted online, are no longer considered safe, as the only source of information on which to be able to make a decision to prescribe the medication. The guidance states that a video consultation or in-person consultation should be carried out, the patient’s clinical records should be reviewed or their GP contacted for more information to verify the person’s weight, height and/or body mass index.
Here at Medical Weight Care, our doctor, Dr Vas, has always adopted this approach to weight loss management. She can see people either on the same day or within a couple of days, either face-to-face or remotely by video, wherever they are throughout the UK. She takes a detailed history to get enough information to be able to prescribe safely and if more information is needed, she will contact the patient's GP or other doctors involved in their care, with their consent. She is aware how important it is for people to start or continue weight loss treatments that they are already on, and makes sure her assessment is as efficient as possible so that there are no delays. This is especially important when people are on the medication already, so as not to miss doses of their treatment.
People may have been under the care of other weight loss doctors, or have obtained their weight loss medicines online from online pharmacies. Dr Vas is happy to take over the care of patients who have been receiving treatment from other providers, as she will carry out her own assessment of their needs, wherever they are in their weight loss journey.
Appointments are available throughout the week and evenings and weekends.
Contact Dr Vas or book a free appointment online today to talk about how she can help.
This update is really helpful—it's good to see safety being prioritised with clear guidance. Great to know Dr Vas is already following these best practices. For more helpful blogs related to weight loss medication, check https://www.shemed.co.uk/.