In a transfer to boost affected person security and curb misuse, UK on-line pharmacies will now be required to implement stricter checks earlier than allotting weight-loss drugs resembling Wegovy and Mounjaro. These measures purpose to stop people who’re already a wholesome weight or have a historical past of consuming issues from accessing these high-risk medicine with out correct medical oversight.
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Below the brand new rules, on-line pharmacies will not have the ability to prescribe these drugs based mostly solely on on-line questionnaires or submitted pictures. As a substitute, sufferers should bear an in-person or video session to confirm their physique mass index (BMI) and supply supporting medical information or data from their normal practitioner (GP).
The Common Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) has emphasised that failure to adjust to these enhanced pointers might result in enforcement actions, together with inspections, fitness-to-practice investigations, and obligatory enchancment plans. These measures come amid considerations about unsafe prescribing practices and potential provide points, with stories indicating that some on-line pharmacies had set quotas for processing prescriptions per hour.
“We all know on-line pharmacy providers can present a really worthwhile service, however via our inspections and investigations, we’ve seen too many instances of medicines being equipped inappropriately on-line and placing folks in danger.”
Duncan Rudkin, Chief Govt of the GPhC.
Weight-loss medicine, together with semaglutide (Wegovy) and tirzepatide (Mounjaro), had been initially developed to assist sort 2 diabetes sufferers handle blood sugar ranges. Nevertheless, their rising use as a weight-loss support has led to international shortages and a surge in counterfeit merchandise. Given their classification as high-risk drugs, the brand new safeguards will assist guarantee their applicable and protected use.
These drugs, which perform by mimicking intestine hormones that regulate starvation and metabolism, have proven promise past weight administration. Current research point out that they will considerably enhance coronary heart well being, lowering dangers of coronary heart assaults, strokes, coronary heart failure, and hypertension.
With these new rules, prescribers can even be required to “actively” share data with a affected person’s GP concerning the drugs being distributed. This step is anticipated to enhance transparency and guarantee a complete method to affected person care.
