The General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC), the regulatory body overseeing pharmacists and pharmacy premises in Great Britain, has announced enhanced guidelines for online pharmacies dispensing weight-loss injections.

This move addresses concerns about inappropriate prescriptions of medications such as Wegovy (semaglutide) and Mounjaro (tirzepatide).

Under the new directives, online pharmacies are prohibited from relying solely on online questionnaires to prescribe high-risk medications, including weight-loss drugs.

Instead, they must independently verify patient information, such as height, weight, and body mass index (BMI).

Acceptable methods for this verification include video consultations, in-person assessments, reviewing clinical records, or consulting with the patient's general practitioner.

The GPhC emphasizes that phone calls are insufficient for this purpose.

The updated guidance also mandates that online prescribing should facilitate timely two-way communication between the prescriber and the patient.

Additionally, pharmacies are reminded to adhere strictly to existing laws and guidelines concerning the advertising and promotion of medicines, referencing directives from the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) and the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA).

Duncan Rudkin, Chief Executive of the GPhC, stated, "Online pharmacies should only supply a medicine if the prescriber has had an appropriate consultation with the person and has made sure they have all the necessary information to check if that medicine is safe and suitable for them." He further noted that the GPhC has observed "too many cases of medicines being supplied inappropriately online and putting people at risk."

The GPhC has clarified that these guidelines outline the expectations for pharmacies to meet established standards, which are legal requirements.

Non-compliance may result in actions ranging from improvement plans to more severe measures, such as imposing conditions on pharmacies, suspensions, or actions against pharmacy owners and pharmacists.

The National Pharmacy Association (NPA) has expressed support for the updated guidelines.

Nick Kaye, Chair of the NPA, commented, "We’re pleased that the GPhC has taken on board concerns expressed by the NPA about a small number of patients who have been able to access higher risk medication, such as weight-loss injections, without proper consultation or examination of historical medical records." He emphasized that the majority of pharmacies already adhere to good practices in this area.

These regulatory changes come amid increasing concerns about the inappropriate online supply of weight-loss medications.

A recent investigation revealed instances where online pharmacies approved and dispatched prescriptions of weight-loss injections to individuals who did not meet the necessary criteria, including those of healthy weight or individuals who misrepresented their weight to qualify for a prescription.

The GPhC's initiative aims to ensure that weight-loss medications are prescribed appropriately, safeguarding patient health and maintaining the integrity of pharmaceutical practices in the digital age.