New Guidance Proposed for Online Weight Loss Prescribing

The General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) has proposed new guidance to enhance patient safety regarding online prescriptions, particularly for weight loss medications, due to observed risks associated with solely using online questionnaires for consultations. The GPhC aims to implement these changes swiftly following consultations, emphasizing the need for additional safeguards for high-risk medications. Concurrently, Noom has introduced a compounded version of Novo Nordisk's semaglutide, aiming to improve accessibility amid high prices for GLP-1 drugs in the U.S. This move has sparked controversy due to potential regulatory issues with compounded drugs. Additionally, the development of oral forms of GLP-1 drugs, currently under trial, promises to revolutionize weight management by eliminating the need for injections, although concerns about misuse and side effects remain. Experts suggest that these advancements could significantly impact weight loss treatments and patient adherence.