Prescribers must independently verify a person’s weight, height and/or body mass index before prescribing weight-loss medication, new guidance from the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) has mandated.

And for all high-risk medicines, prescribing decisions cannot solely be based on information provided through an online questionnaire.

Any information provided by a patient must be independently verified, either through 'timely two-way communication', accessing the person’s clinical records, or contacting the person’s GP, their regular prescriber, or a third-party provider.

And photos provided by a patient or a telephone call will not be considered adequate basis for the supply of weight-loss medication.

Not following guidance could result in fitness to practise investigations

The measures are designed to stop people obtaining medicines that are not clinically appropriate for them, the GPhC said.

They will come into force immediately and will be used to determine if a pharmacist or pharmacy is meeting the regulator's standards.

'Not meeting our standards could result in us taking enforcement action. This could be against the pharmacy, the pharmacy owner, the Superintendent Pharmacist, or all three. We could also investigate the fitness to practise of all the pharmacy professionals involved,' the new guidance states.

'Too many cases' of inappropriate prescribing of weight-loss meds

GPhC chief executive Duncan Rudkin said that while online pharmacies 'can provide a very valuable service', the regulator had seen 'too many cases of medicines being supplied inappropriately online and putting people at risk'.

Since 2021, the GPhC has taken action against have 12 online pharmacies relating to weight-loss medication, and at least a further nine for inappropriate use of online questionnaires, the regulator confirmed to The Pharmacist.

New guidance responds to sector feedback

The GPhC previously invited feedback on its draft guidance relating to weight-loss and other high-risk medication.

The Company Chemists' Association said at the time that it did not feel that further guidance was necessary.

But the National Pharmacy Association (NPA) urged the regulator to require that pharmacies conduct 'a full two-way consultation' with patients before prescribing this type of medication.

Commenting on the updated guidance today, Nick Kaye, NPA chair, said it was pleased that the GPhC had taken on board its concerns.

And he noted that 'the vast majority of pharmacies, including online sellers, already adhere to good practice in this area and do all they can to support patients to attain and maintain a healthy weight in a carefully managed programme of treatment'.