A woman who lost over two stone (approximately 12kg) with the help of weight-loss medication has raised concerns about its accessibility after she was able to purchase the drug online without any face-to-face medical checks or consultations with her general practitioner (GP).
Shirleyann Metcalfe, 64, from Yorkshire, described her experience ever since she discovered the online pharmacist Voy, which utilizes GLP-1 weight-loss medications, including the much-discussed tirzepatide. Despite her significant weight loss, she is troubled by how simply she was approved without adequate medical scrutiny.
According to Ms. Metcalfe, she turned to her GP initially seeking assistance, only to find they were not prescribing any weight-loss jabs. With more than 26% of individuals in the UK classified as obese, weight-loss drugs like the ones offered on Voy’s website have been touted as potential solutions to the growing health crisis.
“They told me they don’t prescribe weight-loss jabs,” she recounted. Feeling desperate to reduce her weight, she then pursued alternative avenues.
After completing some preliminary online forms, which included submitting two photos of herself—one full-body and another showing her feet on weighing scales—she received approval from Voy within just one hour. “It was incredible! They said, ‘Oh, yes, you’re okay,’ and just like, delivered it the next day,” she explained. This rapid process left her questioning the thoroughness of the checks. “Who’s to say that's me? How do they know it’s those people in those photographs?” she pondered.
The medications Voy provides aim to replicate the body's naturally occurring GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) hormone, which sends signals to the brain to regulate appetite and metabolism. “I’ve had severe health issues before, including cancer and fibromyalgia, and I was really nervous about taking anything without proper supervision,” she said. Yet, the lure of improving her health and potentially averting serious illnesses drove her to take the plunge.
Ms. Metcalfe proceeded with the Wegovy weight-loss pen, one of Voy's offerings, and followed their program for 10 weeks. She managed to lose two stone during this period. Even though she didn’t experience any adverse side effects from the treatment, her concerns about the protocol remained. “They need to be checking people more thoroughly,” she emphasized, adding, “I know people are getting it and they aren’t even obese.”
Voy maintains on its website their commitment to “responsible prescribing,” insisting they only dispense clinically proven weight-loss medication to eligible patients. But Ms. Metcalfe feels this may not always be the case, questioning the integrity of the checks. After notifying the i newspaper about her experience, Dr. Earim Chaudry, chief medical officer for Voy, responded to validate their practices.
Dr. Chaudry asserted, “We uphold the highest standards of patient safety,” clarifying their processes involve careful assessments post-purchase. He stated, “Our prescribing process has been reviewed and approved by our regulators.”
The application protocol requires prospective patients to provide their Body Mass Index (BMI), medical history, full-length photographs, and photo identification. These elements are used to verify the patient’s identity and confirm their BMI before medication is dispensed. “If the clinician has any doubts, they will request additional verification, such as a weight check on a video call,” Dr. Chaudry added, emphasizing the safety mechanisms embedded within their procedures. “This process results in a significant proportion of prospective patients not being prescribed medication.”
Despite Dr. Chaudry's reassurances, public sentiment surrounding the accessibility of weight-loss medications remains mixed. Some celebrate the potential advantages of such treatments, especially as obesity rates continue to climb, yet others express concern about the risks tied to unrestricted online sales.
The current discussions about weight-loss medications are set against the backdrop of their increasing popularity among people seeking quick results. Products like Ozempic have been making headlines and garnering attention, which only sheds light on the health-related issues people face.
These weight-loss drugs, hailed as revolutionary, prompt many to reflect on their uses. The extent to which they should be promoted and the ethical dimensions of easy accessibility are important questions at the forefront of medical and public discussions.
By highlighting her experience, Ms. Metcalfe hopes to contribute to the debate about responsible prescribing practices. “Weight loss is not just about the medication; it’s about the support system and lifestyle changes,” she points out, emphasizing the need for holistic health care.
With several medical professionals and health authorities advocating for careful management of weight-loss drugs, the question remains: how should patients navigate the complex web of choices available to them today?
The impact of weight-loss drugs extends far beyond individual stories like Ms. Metcalfe’s, illuminating the deep-rooted concerns about health, regulation, and the growing trend of online pharmaceutical accessibility. While some individuals pursue quick fixes, health professionals remind us of the foundational principles of sustainable weight management through regular exercise and balanced diets.
For those considering similar paths, engaging with qualified health professionals for personalized advice remains pivotal. The ease of access to weight-loss medications warrants careful reflection from both users and providers as the dialogue surrounding weight management continues to evolve.
