Pharmacies to enforce stricter checks for weight loss injections

Pharmacies to enforce stricter checks for weight loss injections

Online pharmacies in the UK will now be required to implement stricter checks before dispensing weight-loss injections such as Wegovy and Mounjaro. The new regulations aim to prevent misuse of these medications, particularly among individuals who are already at a healthy weight or have a history of eating disorders.

Under the updated guidelines, online pharmacies will no longer be permitted to supply these drugs solely based on self-reported information, such as online questionnaires or submitted photographs. Instead, patients will need to undergo in-person or video consultations to verify their body mass index (BMI). Additionally, prescribing pharmacists must access relevant medical records or obtain information from a patient’s GP before issuing prescriptions.

The General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) has warned that failure to comply with these new requirements could result in enforcement actions, including inspections, fitness-to-practice investigations, and mandated improvement plans.

The regulatory changes follow growing concerns about the unsafe prescribing of weight-loss medications and the pressure placed on online pharmacies to process prescriptions at high volumes. Reports have surfaced indicating that some digital pharmacies set internal targets to approve a certain number of prescriptions per hour, raising fears about inadequate patient assessments.

To ensure patient safety, the GPhC has mandated that all prescribing pharmacists actively share prescription details with a patient’s GP. This move aims to prevent individuals from obtaining weight-loss drugs from multiple sources without appropriate medical supervision.

GPhC chief executive Duncan Rudkin emphasized the importance of responsible prescribing, stating that while online pharmacies provide a valuable service, improper dispensing of medication poses significant health risks. The new guidelines are part of an effort to reinforce safe prescribing practices and prevent potential harm.

Semaglutide (Wegovy) and tirzepatide (Mounjaro) were initially developed to help type 2 diabetes patients manage blood sugar levels. However, in recent years, they have gained widespread popularity as weight-loss aids, leading to global shortages and concerns about counterfeit products.

Both drugs are administered through weekly self-injections using pre-filled pens, typically injected into the upper arm, thigh, or stomach. Patients start on a low dose, which is gradually increased over time.

These medications mimic the effects of the glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) hormone, which is naturally released after eating and promotes a feeling of fullness. Tirzepatide, marketed as Mounjaro, also affects the glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) hormone, which plays a key role in metabolism and energy balance.

Given their increasing demand, weight-loss drugs are now classified as “high-risk” medications, requiring additional safeguards when prescribed. On the NHS, they are available only under strict eligibility criteria, ensuring they are given to patients who genuinely need them for medical reasons.

Beyond their weight-loss benefits, new research has found that these medications may significantly improve heart health. Studies indicate that patients using semaglutide or tirzepatide experience lower risks of heart attacks, strokes, heart failure, and high blood pressure.

As demand for these medications grows, health regulators are working to balance accessibility with safety, ensuring that patients receive appropriate treatment without risk of misuse or harm. The latest measures introduced by the GPhC represent a step toward greater accountability and oversight in the rapidly expanding market for weight-loss drugs.