GP warns of fake weights used to obtain weight-loss injections online

A general practitioner has warned that some patients are trying to falsify their weight to obtain prescription-weight loss injections online, despite strict eligibility criteria. Dr Fiona Graham, who runs a private clinic in Chelmsford, Essex, said she regularly receives requests for Wegovy and Mounjaro from people who do not meet the criteria for the drugs. "People are using exercise weights, bottles of water under their arms, books – anything that makes them look heavier than they actually are," she said. She noted that some clients have talked about placing weights on their backs to misrepresent their weight, a tactic she says undermines checks and could let people bypass safeguards. "How do we know what anyone's weight is if it is just a photo taken of how much they weigh?" she asked. "It leads itself to people who can bend the rules and get around the system."

Roz Gittins, from the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPC), said its guidance makes clear that a prescriber of weight-management medicines is expected to check the weight and height of patients before dispensing such drugs. "Earlier this year, we updated our guidance to make clear that when supplying medicines used for weight management, the prescriber is expected to independently check the information provided by the person, including their weight, height and/or body mass index," Gittins said. "We inspect hundreds of pharmacies each month and have contact with many more in response to concerns that we receive. We will continue to take appropriate action to protect patient safety if a pharmacy is not meeting our standards."

Weight-loss jabs have been available on the NHS in England since the end of June, but the drug is not available over the counter and patients must meet strict criteria in order to be eligible for a prescription. It is estimated that about 1.5 million people are on weight-loss medication in the UK. The National Institute for Clinical Excellence states weight-loss injections should only be offered on the NHS to an adult who is obese with a body mass index (BMI) of at least 35 and has a pre-existing weight-related health condition. The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) guidelines state that private online prescribers should only give Mounjaro to adult patients with a BMI of 30 or more. Ms Gittins added: "Earlier this year, we updated our guidance to make clear that when supplying medicines used for weight management, the prescriber is expected to independently check the information provided by the person, including their weight, height and/or body mass index. We inspect hundreds of pharmacies each month and have contact with many more in response to concerns that we receive. We will continue to take appropriate action to protect patient safety if a pharmacy is not meeting our standards." An MHRA spokesperson said: "Prescription weight loss medicines should only be obtained from a registered pharmacy against a prescription issued by a healthcare professional. Taking these medicines sourced in any other way carries serious risks to your health with no guarantees about what they contain." The BBC has contacted the Department of Health and Social Care for comment.