Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

GPhC tightens rules for online obesity drug prescriptions

Obesity drug
Boxes of Wegovy are seen at a pharmacy in London. (Photo: Reuters)
Eastern Eye
By Eastern EyeFeb 04, 2025
Eastern Eye

See Full Bio

The General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC), which oversees UK pharmacies, has introduced stricter rules for online pharmacies prescribing obesity drugs. The regulator said the changes aim to prevent individuals from receiving medicines that could pose health risks.

The new guidance, updated for the first time in three years, follows concerns about how some online pharmacies dispense weight-loss drugs.

The GPhC has also added GLP-1 receptor agonists, including weight-loss injections Wegovy and Mounjaro, to its list of "high-risk medicines."

These drugs will now require extra safeguards when prescribed, similar to opioids, sedatives, antibiotics, and medicines for long-term conditions like asthma and diabetes.

Demand for obesity drugs in the UK has grown significantly. Last year, several online pharmacies estimated that around 500,000 people were using these medications through the private market, surpassing the number receiving them via the state-run National Health Service (NHS).

"We have seen, through our inspections and concerns raised by the public, some concerning ways in which these drugs were being supplied online and we have taken action as a result," said Louise Edwards, Chief Strategy Officer at the GPhC.

Since 2021, the regulator has taken enforcement action against at least a dozen online pharmacies over their supply of weight-loss medicines, Edwards said.

Under the updated rules, online pharmacies must now "independently verify the person's weight, height, and/or body mass index" before prescribing obesity drugs.

This can be done through a video consultation, reviewing clinical records, or contacting the person's doctor. Online questionnaires and phone calls will no longer be considered sufficient for verification.

Wegovy is produced by Danish pharmaceutical company Novo Nordisk, while Mounjaro is made by US-based Lilly. Both companies have seen significant profits from their weight-loss drugs.

In December, the World Health Organization said these medications, alongside other health measures, could play a role in addressing the global obesity crisis.

diabetesgeneral pharmaceutical councilgphcmounjaroobesity drug prescriptionsobesity drugsonline pharmaciesuk pharmacieswegovyweightloss drugsozempic uk

Related News

India declares state mourning for Pope Francis, Modi leads tributes
Editorial

India declares state mourning for Pope Francis, Modi leads tributes

Minority youth face racist content online once a week, report reveals
News

Minority youth face racist content online once a week, report reveals

england-gp-iStock
UK

GPs in England’s deprived areas face lower pay, greater pressure: Report

Cookery Class
UK Events

Kabul flavors in London!

More For You

Asian community

Menopause is a universal transition - one every woman will experience in her lifetime

iStock

Breaking the silence: Why Asian women must talk about menopause

Kiran Singh

For many women in the Asian community, the journey through perimenopause and menopause is still shrouded in silence, confusion, and, at times, shame. It’s often seen as something we just have to “put up with” quietly, as though struggling through it alone is a badge of honour. But the truth is, menopause is a universal transition - one every woman will experience in her lifetime - and it is time we start talking about it, especially within our cultural communities where silence often masks suffering.

We all go through it - so why don’t we talk about it?

Menopause doesn’t arrive overnight. For most women, it begins subtly during perimenopause, which can start as early as your late 30s or early 40s and last for several years. According to the NHS and the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), over 30 recognised symptoms of perimenopause range from hot flushes and night sweats to anxiety, low mood, brain fog, and joint pain.

Keep ReadingShow less
Great guide to building healthy eating habits

Good nutrition is the foundation of an active lifestyle

Great guide to building healthy eating habits

Nesreen G and Jayeeta Dutta

PHYSICAL exercise is important when it comes to fitness, but what we fuel our body with plays an equally vital role in achieving sustainable results.

The key to long-term fitness success is developing mindful eating habits that nourish the body and soul, enhance performance and help maintain a healthy lifestyle. This does not necessarily mean following a restrictive diet or complicated meal plans. It is about finding a sustainable balance that works for you.

Keep ReadingShow less
The Chase’s Paul Sinha shares Parkinson’s update after major health scare

Sinha’s message was one of resilience and realism

Getty

The Chase’s Paul Sinha shares Parkinson’s update after major health scare

Paul Sinha, known to viewers of ITV’s The Chase as “The Sinnerman,” has spoken candidly about his experience living with Parkinson’s disease. During an appearance on Loose Women on Thursday, 17 April, the comedian and quizzer reflected on his journey from diagnosis to managing the condition day to day.

Sinha, who was diagnosed with the progressive neurological disorder in 2019, revealed that his earliest symptoms were not what many would typically associate with Parkinson’s.

Keep ReadingShow less
MRI

Individuals with certain metabolic conditions may be more prone to this process

Getty

MRI injection linked to rare deadly health risk, study finds

A new study has raised concerns over the use of a common chemical injected during MRI scans, suggesting it may contribute to a potentially fatal complication in rare cases.

Researchers from the University of New Mexico have found that gadolinium – a toxic rare earth metal used in MRI contrast agents – can interact with oxalic acid found in many foods to form nanoparticles in human tissues. These particles could potentially lead to serious health problems affecting organs such as the kidneys.

Keep ReadingShow less
Capivasertib: New NHS Pill Slows Incurable Breast Cancer Progression

Around 3,000 women each year could benefit from the treatment

iStock

New pill Capivasertib slows incurable breast cancer progression, now on NHS

A new drug for one of the most common forms of advanced breast cancer, capivasertib, is now available on the NHS in England. Around 3,000 women each year could benefit from the treatment after clinical trials showed it can slow the progression of the disease and shrink tumours in a significant number of patients.

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has approved capivasertib for NHS funding. It is one of a range of treatment options offered to patients whose breast cancer has spread and is no longer curable.

Keep ReadingShow less
© Copyright 2025 Garavi Gujarat Publications Ltd & Asian Media Group USA Inc