03.02.2025.
The new year often brings with it a surge in resolutions, and for many, that means turning to weight loss treatments. But as demand grows, so do concerns about patient safety—especially when these powerful medications are obtained online.
The National Pharmacy Association (UK) has sounded the alarm, warning that current regulations for online pharmacies supplying weight loss medicines are not stringent enough to protect patients.
The General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC), which oversees pharmacy practices in the UK, has proposed guidance, but the NPA believes it doesn’t go far enough.
The growing popularity
- IQVIA, a data analytics firm, predicts a surge in new obesity drug launches by 2026.
- The UK government has announced plans to make Mounjaro, a weight loss injection, available through the NHS to help unemployed individuals return to work.
- Private healthcare providers are already seeing a sharp rise in demand for weight management treatments.
With this surge in availability and interest, online pharmacies are becoming a go-to solution for those seeking weight loss treatments—sometimes without adequate medical oversight.
Concerns over patient safety
The NPA has highlighted several risks associated with the current system:
- Lack of thorough medical consultation: Many online pharmacies rely solely on patient-filled questionnaires, which can be incomplete or misleading.
- Misuse and misprescription: Cases have emerged where weight loss injections were prescribed to individuals outside the approved Body Mass Index (BMI) range or to those with a history of eating disorders.
- Inadequate safeguards: Without direct interaction between the prescriber and patient, important medical history may be overlooked.
The NPA insists on stronger regulations, including:
- Mandatory two-way consultations between prescribers and patients.
- Greater scrutiny of medical history before approving prescriptions.
- Ensuring that pharmacies dispensing weight loss treatments, particularly injectables, are closely monitored.
The GPhC’s position
The GPhC’s guidance, released in September last year, attempted to address safety concerns by requiring:
- Patient identity verification.
- Two-way communication between the patient and prescriber, which could include video calls or encrypted messaging.
- Ongoing monitoring for high-risk medicines, such as weight loss injections, by involving GPs and other healthcare providers.
However, the NPA argues these measures still leave gaps in patient safety, particularly by allowing some prescriptions without a full clinical consultation.
The debate continues
Regulators and industry stakeholders remain divided:
- The GPhC has acknowledged concerns and stated it will soon release an updated version of its guidance, tightening safeguards around high-risk medicines.
- The Company Chemists’ Association (CCA), representing major pharmacy chains, argues that no further regulation is needed. Their CEO, Malcolm Harrison, stated that their members have safely dispensed weight loss medications remotely for years under existing guidelines.
Meanwhile, the European e-pharmacy market is experiencing significant growth, fueled by technological advancements, changing consumer behaviour, and supportive regulatory frameworks.
According to the European Association of E-pharmacies:
- The UK e-pharmacy market reached €2.3 billion in 2023, growing at an annual rate of 8%.
- The UK government has invested £2 billion in NHS digitalization, aiming for full electronic health records by 2025.
As more weight loss drugs enter the market, the debate over online pharmacy regulation will only intensify.
For consumers, the key takeaway is clear: while online pharmacies offer convenience, it’s crucial to ensure any prescribed weight loss treatment is backed by proper medical oversight.
