Which pharmacy would you recommend?

[bouncingbackhome]

Hi, I really think I am at the point where I need to give injections a try. I have tried everything over the years and at 47 the weight just isn’t coming off any more. I am 5ft 10 and weigh between 16 and 17 stone.

A couple of years ago I managed to drop to 15 stone using slimming world, but it all went back on! 13 years ago I used the Dukan diet and went down to 12 stone, but I just can’t seem to be motivated to do that again, even though I know it works!

I have coeliac disease, ever since diagnosis, I can’t keep the weight off. Years of bad eating and remaining slim, due to being ill hasn’t helped.

Which pharmacy would you recommend?

There are so many to choose from. If price is your most important factor, this spreadsheet will help.

For a big name, and the option to collect from store, go with Boots or Asda. Downside - they tend to be some of the most expensive.

For customer service & ability to pick your delivery day, go with Oushk. Mid-range price.

Juniper & Voy offer services & weight loss advice alongside the meds. You pay more for it, but it can be useful.

There is a discount thread in this section where people post up their codes so you will never lack for one!

I used MedExpress, using a referral code from the thread where you are allowed to share codes. It made them the most cost effective to get started.

I've only placed my first order with them and was impressed - came with all I needed and the communication from them since has been light touch - which suits me fine. I've had no issues so don't know how their customer service is if you do need to contact them.

They do a price match guarantee (credit to your account so only helps if you are placing future orders). I will use it whenever I can and others have said it's easy - just screen shot a competitors price, email them and they apply the credit.

I WFH so it's not an issue for me, but some people prefer store pickups to fit in with their schedules/so it doesn't get picked up by other family members, in which look at Asda/Boots etc.

They do inform your GP - I was fine with that, in fact think it's important that it's on my record but I've seen others say they don't want that. I think there are 1 or 2 who give you the choice to 'opt out' of them informing your GP.

The one thing I didn't think about was maintenance - I think Ousk have a maintenance plan unlike many of the others. That's still long enough away for me that I am not too worried about- I will transfer to them if I think I'll need that, but if you are only just eligible, so might not be planning on taking it for too long, have that in mind.

Good luck.

Here is another price comparison site.

https://monj.co.uk/

I've used med express, zava and recently ordered from IQ Doctor
Med express was my first order, changed from them as they stopped offering discount codes at the time.
Zava were good to begin with but then started taking ages to process orders.
IQ Doctor were great (2 weeks ago) and processed and delivered pen within two days.

Thank you so much for the quick replies and advice.

I feel so nervous about taking it and a little bit like a failure.

I was put off medexpress by the really annoying referral codes. Went with oushk because you can pick delivery day and delivery method (royal mail or dpd) They've been great so far.

You have been socially conditioned to believe this. Break the mould.

Would you call me a failure? Of course you wouldn't, we are always hardest on ourselves.

You've tried before, and even if you didn’t succeed, you haven't given up. You’re approaching it from a new angle, showing resilience, not failure. That’s strength.

I like Simple online pharmacy. Great service and they seem a bit quicker than some of the more in demand ones like Med Express. I hear good things about Oushk as well

I'm with med express, my first order.
I took a discount code from mumsnet and paid £113. So far I'm happy with them.

I have also seen good things about Medino.

I started out with Voy. It's a subscription (expensive) and they offer coaching etc. I didn't like the need to promote a code continuously to make it affordable and wasn't using the coach as couldn't get an appointment so moved to the Family Chemist. They are great but were struggling with a huge flood of orders and delivery dates were a bit as box so have moved to Oushk where you can pick your date. So far, so good!

Just a heads up about Medino - have seen someone posting (on Reddit I think) that they wouldn't let them stay on 2.5 after the first month and insisted they move up when they didn't want to. Don't know if it's their policy or what but helps to know!

I would just follow the price (later taking into account possible restrictions as you get to a lower BMI & if you want to go on a maintenance dose once you reach goal)
I started off with Med Express as with the one off £40 discount this makes it one of the cheapest pens.
Then I moved to Curate as they have regular 15-20% discount codes that you can use every month. Saves me keep having to change every month to get a meaningful lower price with another supplier.
Some people stick with Med Express and continually tout their discount codes as they get £40 off every time a new person to Med Express uses their code. You can get free pens this way but it would involve a hell of a lot of touting and dumb luck that people use your code. On Tiktok there are so many Curate affliates now. Who are not exactly truthful that they get a kickback when you use their code. If I use a code I try and use one where it doesn't give someone a kickback.. unless that person is a friend or has been helpful to me in some way... sorry I am a meany!!

I keep reading round and round trying to decide whether to use it. I am on holiday at the moment and I think Dr Zand on the BBC morning show was actually really helpful in helping my “shame” problem.

Now to decide on the right pharmacy for me.

Thank you everyone for your help.

Go for it 100%.
It's the only thing has kept me on track since Covid. So many failed attempts over the last few years.
I am on month 3 and wish I had started sooner and yeah I get the shame thing.
I have only told close family I am taking it.

I do get the 'shame' thing but totally agree with @WeAllHaveWings above! It's society that has made us feel like second class citizens and that we have 'failed' if we can't lose weight.

I have never used any sort of medication or whatever to try and lose weight before, only exercise. 'diets' and every single 'club' in existence! MJ really was my last ditch attempt after even the Fast800/keto stopped working for me.

I recommend reading 'Why we eat (too much)' by Dr Andrew Jenkinson to help understand why so much of this is not your fault!!

I have used two pharmacies -

ZAVA - Very competitive prices at the time I ordered. Never knew what day pen delivery was going to be, would get a dispatched email (when they printed the label, but they can despatch days later) and both of my first pens arrived not chilled. But, I didn't know at the time that might be an issue. They keep in touch via generic emails. I had to fish for referrals on MN for my next discount which was irritating (not sure if they still do that). Left ZAVA before I heard anything about their maintenance plans so don't know what they are.

Oushk - 2 orders have arrived on the date I chose with the courier I chose (DPD). Both arrived with icepack melted (I am in Scotland so longer transit) but still nicely chilled. I have pre ordered my next two pens to arrive mid Nov and early Dec using their current 16% off Halloween code (expires 04/11) to see me through Christmas and January. A little bit more expensive than ZAVA but the confidence they will deliver on a certain date is worth it for me, I don't want to be waiting in for something that doesn't arrive/arrives warm/have to try to contact a pharmacy that doesn't reply. Not as expensive as others. They keep you informed about new things like news on changes to prescribing guidelines, their flexible approach to maintenance, which is also clear on their website and hold Q&A facebook lives where you can pick up tips and you can have a online consultation if you want one (I've never needed one, but good to know the option is there, think they cost £5). I get a reaction to their brand of pen needles so have sourced my own, but that is likely to be just me! (I use the brand ZAVA used). Some of the posters on their facebook support group can be very a bit OTT with the Oushk love 🙄 but I can't fault their service so far.

I have seen posts about Curate not being great on here though. Also it mentions it on here

www.monj.co.uk

Are you going to sort your eating out too? You say you eat badly. It's a great opportunity to relearn eating properly without any of the food noise. I've learnt that it's OK to leave food and that if I don't have pudding, the world doesn't grind to a halt! I know that sounds daft, but it was ingrained in me from childhood.

I use Asda. They are not the cheapest, but they have good support and customer service is excellent. I can get my prescription delivered to the instore pharmacy so I don't have to wait for the delivery at home and can collect when convenient. They always have stock too.

I think Simply online are based in Glasgow if anyone Scottish is looking for something closer to home

I think there are positives and negatives with all of them. I’ve used Medexpress who were perfect for my first two pens but didn’t process my order for a week on my third. I just went with them because I got money off using a code and they seemed popular.

I hope they are more reliable the next order I have. Fortunately, I only just started my current pen so I have plenty of time but if I’d left it till later due to finances or whatever then I might have had some problems.

Is numan any good? They popped up on Instagram and seem willing to prescribe to me but others haven't.

Expensive I think, but offers a £100 off thing

He was really good about weight loss jabs, wasn't he.
A very refreshing change from itv's Dr Hilary who spouts utter rubbish about them.

Voy has been perfect for me. Totally discreet, telling your GP is optional. The app is useful and it's easy to change delivery date if you're away, just want a week off for a break or to eke out the extra 5th dose. I've chosen not to move up to higher doses without any issue. Happy to share code or answer questions by PM

Medexpress are great -fast delivery and good customer service. I’d locked my sharps bin by accident, they sent me a replacement via next day delivery straight away!

Curate have been great for me so far.
1st order was approved and dispatched the same day of ordering. Received the next day.
2nd order which I placed yesterday was approved in 4 hours and that is on a Saturday. I am hoping that it will be despatched tomorrow and received Tues.
Only annoying thing I found was when it came to re-ordering I had it submit everything again including new photos. It looks like that is the way every time.
I think Curate used to be a lot worse but have cleaned up their act somewhat.

It is concerning reading some of the recent negative reviews.. but every provider gets them.