A set of new regulations is set to make it more difficult for individuals to purchase weight loss drugs, such as Wegovy and Mounjaro, online. This move is being hailed by eating disorder charities as a crucial step toward protecting vulnerable individuals.
Weight loss medications, which can be beneficial when prescribed and used appropriately, have now been classified as “high risk” due to their potential mental health side effects. These drugs have been associated with adverse psychological effects in some users.
Previously, individuals seeking weight loss treatments online could simply complete an online questionnaire or engage in a brief chat with a healthcare provider to place an order. This process often allowed people struggling with eating disorders—who may already be in a fragile physical state—to access potentially harmful medications.
Under the new rules issued by the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC), prescriptions for weight loss drugs will now only be granted once a person’s body mass index (BMI) is verified. This verification can occur through a video consultation, an in-person appointment, or by consulting the patient’s medical records.
Tom Quinn, Director of External Affairs at the eating disorder charity Beat, expressed support for the revised measures in an interview with Cosmopolitan UK, noting that the charity has grown increasingly concerned as more individuals with eating disorders have been prescribed weight loss injections despite their medical history. “People with eating disorders are particularly vulnerable to the allure of so-called ‘miracle drugs,’ especially when they can be obtained with minimal oversight,” Quinn said.
While praising the new safeguards as a positive development, Quinn called for additional steps to further protect those at risk. “We welcome the move to restrict access, but we believe it’s vital that these prescriptions be accompanied by a mandatory mental health evaluation to ensure the patient is physically and mentally fit to use the medication safely,” he added.
The GPhC’s updated guidelines emphasize that verifying patient information solely through a phone call is no longer deemed acceptable for prescribing weight loss drugs. Pharmacists who fail to comply with these new rules may face an investigation or inspection.
This tightening of regulations is expected to significantly reduce the number of individuals who might be prescribed weight loss medications unsafely, offering greater protection to those with underlying mental health conditions. However, advocates like Quinn argue that further measures, including comprehensive mental health assessments, are needed to ensure patient safety.
Related Topics:
Can Weight Loss Injections Cause Infertility
