Weight-loss jabs are now “high risk” « Euro Weekly News
Weight-loss jabs. Credit: Shutterstock, MillaF
Access to weight-loss jabs, including Ozempic, Mounjaro, and Wegovy, will now be more tightly regulated in the UK following concerns that some online pharmacies were prescribing the medications unsuitably.
The General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) has announced new guidelines to ensure a safer prescribing procedure. Weight-loss jabs have now been classified as “high-risk medicines,” meaning additional safety checks are required before dispensing them.
Why the prescription rules are changing for weight-loss jabs
The crackdown follows reports that some online pharmacies had been approving prescriptions for weight-loss injections based solely on self-reported information via online questionnaires. The Guardian reported that after a recent investigation, some patients, including those with a healthy weight or a history of eating disorders, were able to obtain the drugs despite not meeting medical criteria.
Concerns were also raised about pharmacies setting prescription targets per hour, which may have put profit before patient safety. The National Pharmacy Association (NPA) and other regulatory bodies urged stricter controls to prevent misuse.
Duncan Rudkin, chief executive of the GPhC, stressed that online pharmacies must only supply weight-loss drugs if the prescriber has conducted a proper consultation: “Online pharmacies should only supply a 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 that medicine is safe and suitable for them.” (Cited by The Guardian.)
New prescribing procedures for weight-loss drugs
Under the new regulations, prescriptions for weight-loss jabs can no longer be issued based on emails or phone calls, online questionnaires, or photograph submissions.
Instead, prescribers must independently verify a patient’s height, weight, and body mass index (BMI) through either video consultation, an in-person assessment, or through medical records.
Online pharmacies must also obtain patient consent to contact their GP before issuing a prescription. If the patient refuses or does not have a regular doctor, the prescriber must assess whether it is still safe to proceed.
Pharmacies that fail to comply with these guidelines risk enforcement actions, including operational restrictions or suspensions.
The National Pharmacy Association (NPA) welcomed the reforms, with chair Nick Kaye stating:
“Delivering good care whilst maintaining the highest levels of patient safety is the number one priority for pharmacies, and we hope this updated guidance will help protect the safety of patients.”
However, some experts argue that the reforms do not go far enough. Dr Piotr Ozieranski, a researcher at the University of Bath, questioned the practicality of verifying a person’s height and weight via video call. He also raised concerns about how pharmacies could reliably access GP records amid high demand and NHS pressures.
Additionally, concerns remain over financial conflicts of interest, as some pharmacies and pharmacists receive payments from drug companies. Ozieranski suggested that banning such payments would prevent commercial pressures from influencing prescribing decisions.
With weight-loss jabs like Ozempic and Mounjaro surging in popularity, these new rules are designed to protect patient safety and eliminate inappropriate prescriptions. However, experts warn that more control may still be needed, particularly regarding financial conflicts of interest and patient support after starting treatment.
