Pharmacy leaders have expressed concerns over the sale of weight-loss injections online, stating that patient safety is still at risk. The National Pharmacy Association (NPA) has written a letter to regulators calling for stricter rules, stating that they are aware of people with previous eating disorders or those who already have low body weight being wrongly prescribed the drugs. They believe that a two-way consultation with the patient lasting at least twenty minutes is necessary instead of relying on online questionnaires. Accessing drugs such as Wegovy or Mounjaro can pose a risk to patient safety.
The NPA has written to the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) stating that current rules leave the door open for medicines to be supplied without appropriate checks, and the risk to patient safety remains. The push comes as there are warnings of a boom in demand for weight-loss jabs this year as ministers look to expand the rollout of the medication on the NHS. Nick Kaye, chairman of the NPA, said that it was important to ensure that clinical decisions regarding weight loss injections are not influenced by financial targets or incentives, adding that obesity is one of the biggest challenges facing the country and pharmacies want to play their part in helping patients lose and maintain a healthy weight.
Weight-loss jabs, which are known as GLP-1 receptor agonists, work by reducing food cravings, and hundreds of thousands of people are estimated to get their prescriptions privately through online pharmacies. The NPA has previously warned patients to avoid buying weight loss injections from unregulated online sellers, who may be selling fake drugs and urged sellers to examine a person’s medical history before deciding whether or not to dispense a weight-loss injection. They also recommended regular reviews. The GPhC responded, stating that they require all pharmacies to ensure the way services are delivered safeguards the health, safety, and well-being of patients and the public, and they will be issuing an updated version of their guidelines.
The NPA has highlighted that weight-loss injections can play an essential role in tackling obesity when prescribed as part of a carefully managed treatment program for patients who are most in need of support. However, they are concerned that current regulations allow patients to inappropriately access weight-loss injections without proper consultation or examination of historical medical records. The NPA is calling on updated guidelines requiring a more in-depth consultation with the patient before prescriptions can be obtained, aimed at reducing the risk to patient safety
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