The UK has introduced more stringent regulations for online prescriptions of popular weight-loss jabs like Wegovy and Mounjaro. Following alarming reports about patients, including those with eating disorders, receiving prescriptions without proper evaluation, the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) is mandatorily enforcing these new measures.
Under the new guidelines, individuals seeking these medications online will no longer be able to rely solely on self-reported data such as patient questionnaires or submitted photographs. Instead, prescribers are now obliged to confirm the patient's body mass index (BMI) either through video consultations, face-to-face meetings, or by consulting medical records from general practitioners (GPs).
"The message of this updated guidance is clear: online pharmacies should only supply medicine if the prescriber has had an appropriate consultation with the person, and has made sure they have all the necessary information to check if the medicine is safe and suitable for them," stated Duncan Rudkin, GPhC's chief executive.
The revised regulations come amid rising concerns about the ease with which individuals could obtain these medications, as highlighted by investigations demonstrating how some online pharmacies provided weight-loss injections with minimal scrutiny. Currently, around half a million people across the UK are estimated to be using these drugs, yet only 10% of prescriptions originate from the NHS.
Previously, transactions were often completed via quick medical questionnaires, which allowed many people to slip through the cracks. Comprehensive assessments will now be required to determine whether patients have clinical needs justifying the use of these jabs. The stipulations also require pharmacists to independently verify each patient's weight and height before issuing prescriptions.
According to the GPhC, the medications have now been classified as "high-risk," necessitating rigorous protections. These include ensuring clinicians secure patient consent before communicating with their GP about the plight or prescription. The prescriber is also obligated to share all relevant information actively with other professionals involved in the patient’s care.
Nick Kaye, chairman of the National Pharmacy Association (NPA), expressed hope the updated guidance would safeguard patients, noting, "It is important to note the vast majority of pharmacies, including online sellers, already adhere to good practice in this area." He emphasized the need for these regulations, underscoring the potential dangers of prescribing powerful medications to those who may not meet the medical criteria.
Phil Day, superintendent pharmacist at Pharmacy2U, the UK's largest digital pharmacy, stated, "We support any move to improve patient safety and have been working with the GPhC and other medical professionals to implement appropriate safeguards for this new generation of weight-loss drugs." He added, "Further clarity on the provision and advertising of these services is a welcome step forward for the market, and we are pleased to indicate we meet the new GPhC guidance."
The GPhC’s new measures are integral to curbing patient risk and ensuring prescriptions are reserved for those who genuinely require weight-loss interventions. With the use of these medications increasingly considered by many seeking quick fixes, the gravity of responsible prescribing could not be overstated.
By making these changes mandatory, the GPhC hopes to uphold patient safety and curtail issues previously arising from ineffective prescriptions based on insufficient evaluations. Inspections have previously uncovered numerous cases where medications had been falsely prescribed, which not only endangers health but also undermines the integrity of medical practices.
Patients now find themselves on the frontline of these changes, as they must navigate more thorough background checks before receiving injected medication intended to assist with weight loss. Such processes aim to refine the standards of care within the pharmacy sector, ensuring all patients are appropriately assessed before receiving potentially life-altering prescriptions.
Importantly, the new regulations also aim to clear the market of unregulated sellers, such as beauty salons, where safety cannot be guaranteed. Digital pharmacies could play a pivotal role in addressing the UK's obesity crisis, offering life-altering medications to those who genuinely need them, as long as they strictly adhere to the safety standards set forth by regulatory authorities.