February 4th 2025.
There has been a significant increase in the number of individuals seeking weight loss injections, particularly those who have had previous struggles with eating disorders or have a low body mass index (BMI). However, purchasing these injections online may soon become more challenging as stricter regulations are set to be implemented in online pharmacies. The General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) has issued new guidelines, stating that these injections, such as Wegovy, Ozempic, and Mounjaro, can no longer be prescribed based solely on a questionnaire. Instead, patients must have a consultation with a healthcare professional to ensure the safe and appropriate use of these medications.
The GPhC's decision to introduce these new rules aims to safeguard patients and prevent the misuse of these weight loss injections. Pharmacists will now be required to verify a patient's BMI through a video consultation, in-person consultation, or by accessing their medical records. Previously, these medications could be prescribed through email or by sending in photos, which has led to reports of individuals obtaining these injections without proper checks. Some online pharmacies have even set targets for processing prescriptions per hour, which raises concerns about the thoroughness of the prescribing process.
The National Pharmacy Association (NPA) is among the organizations that have called for stricter regulations after becoming aware of individuals being prescribed these injections without appropriate checks. The new guidelines state that the prescriber must independently verify a patient's weight, height, and BMI, using different methods, such as video consultations or contacting their GP. The safety measures also require clinicians to share relevant information about the prescription with other healthcare professionals involved in the patient's care and obtain their consent before contacting their GP.
If online pharmacies do not adhere to these new guidelines, they may face enforcement action, such as fitness to practice investigations or inspections, and may have conditions placed on their pharmacy. This is because weight loss injections have now been designated as high-risk medications, requiring extra safeguards. The GPhC is urging online pharmacies to only supply these medications after a thorough consultation with the patient, ensuring their safety and suitability for the individual.
These weight loss injections, also known as GLP-1 receptor agonists, work by reducing food cravings and are available on the NHS for those with a high BMI. However, hundreds of thousands of people also obtain these injections privately through online pharmacies. With the implementation of these new guidelines, the GPhC hopes to ensure the safe and appropriate use of these medications and prevent their misuse. Chief Executive, Duncan Rudkin, emphasizes the importance of this updated guidance, stating that online pharmacies must prioritize the safety and wellbeing of their patients by following the proper procedures before prescribing these weight loss injections.
[This article has been trending online recently and has been generated with AI. Your feed is customized.]
[Generative AI is experimental.]
