- Online pharmacies must now conduct in-person or video consultations to verify patient eligibility for weight-loss drugs like Wegovy and Mounjaro.
- These medications are now deemed “high risk,” requiring strict prescribing criteria to prevent misuse and supply shortages.
- The General Pharmaceutical Council warns against unsafe online prescriptions and the rise of counterfeit products due to global demand.
Online pharmacies are now required to implement stricter verification checks before prescribing weight-loss drugs (also known as GLP1 medications) such as Wegovy and Mounjaro to patients.
These medications which were originally developed for type 2 diabetes management have gained popularity leading to global shortages and increased regulatory concerns.
New requirements for prescriptions
Previously, many online pharmacies prescribed these drugs based on an online questionnaire or a submitted photo, raising concerns about misuse by individuals who might not medically require them.
Under the new General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) guidance, the following stricter measures will apply:
- In-person or video consultations will now be mandatory to verify patient BMI and health status.
- Prescriptions must include information from GP or medical records to ensure eligibility.
- Pharmacists must actively share dispensing information with a patient’s GP for better monitoring.
Failure to comply with these rules could lead to enforcement actions, including fitness-to-practice investigations and operational improvement requirements.
Weight loss drugs now classified as High Risk
Given the increasing demand for weight-loss medications, the GPhC has now classified semaglutide (Wegovy) and tirzepatide (Mounjaro) as “high risk” drugs.
This means stricter prescribing standards are needed to prevent:
- Patients with eating disorders or a healthy weight from obtaining these medications inappropriately.
- Supply shortages that could impact people who medically need the drugs.
- Unsafe prescribing practices, where some online pharmacies reportedly set high prescription targets per hour.
Charlotte Summers, founding Chief Operations Officer at Gro Health, providers of specialist weight management services that prescribe weight loss medications commented: “Ensuring safe and responsible access to weight loss medications is crucial.
“These new regulations help protect patients from misuse while ensuring those who genuinely need support receive it under proper medical supervision.”
Counterfeit risks
With demand soaring, counterfeit versions of these medications have also emerged on the market, posing potential health risks.
Both semaglutide and tirzepatide work by mimicking hormones that control appetite and metabolism, making users feel fuller for longer.
Research has shown that beyond weight loss, these drugs may reduce heart disease risks, including lower rates of heart attacks, strokes, and high blood pressure.
This reinforces the need for responsible prescribing and proper patient monitoring to maximize their benefits while ensuring patient safety.
By enforcing proper medical oversight, the new rules aim to ensure that these powerful medications reach those who genuinely need them – without compromising safety.
