The Pharmacy Association in the United Kingdom is expressing concerns about the inappropriate access to weight loss drugs, specifically injections, through online sales. The National Pharmacy Association (NPA) is calling for stricter regulations that would require prescribers to have more thorough consultations with patients before dispensing these medications. This could include phone calls or face-to-face discussions to assess medical history and potential risks, rather than just relying on online questionnaires.
The NPA is worried that current regulations are allowing some patients to inappropriately obtain weight loss injections without proper consultations or examinations of their medical records. The group is also advocating for high-need patients, such as those with type 2 diabetes, to have priority access to these drugs.
The concern comes at a time when weight loss medications like Wegovy and Mounjaro are growing in popularity in the UK. These drugs, known as GLP-1 receptor agonists, are prescribed to treat obesity and type 2 diabetes by suppressing appetite. While they have been found to lower the risk of various health problems, they are also associated with potential risks such as gastrointestinal issues, low blood pressure, and kidney stones.
The UK government and the European Union’s medicines regulator have previously warned against buying weight loss drugs from unlicensed online sellers, as they could be counterfeit and unsafe. The NPA emphasizes that medicines require careful handling and should not be treated like ordinary goods for sale.
Inappropriate prescribing of weight loss drugs, including to patients with eating disorders or lower body mass indexes, is raising concerns among UK pharmacies. The NPA is urging for stricter regulations to ensure that patients are receiving these medications safely and appropriately.
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