New pharmacy rules announced

[CoverMeInMarmalade]

Pharmacies require stricter weight-loss jab checks www.bbc.com/news/articles/c5yeklrer39o

We knew it was on the cards but really frustrating if this now causes problems for those of us who are genuinely obese and need this drug to help save our health/lives.

not unexpected
and probably better this way

it is s powerful medicine and though it is reasonably safe there is potential for misuse.

I think its a good medicine if taken with the right conditions and I wish that it will still be widely and safely available who are eligible.

I don't think this is a bad thing. If you fit the prescribing criteria, you will still be able to get it. At a minimum, I think you should have to provide proof of ID or NHS number, evidence of current weight, evidence of lifestyle changes made and GP should be informed. If this was being prescribed to you by your GP / NHS weight loss service, all of these things would be happening.

What we really need is for NHS weight loss service to be fit for purpose, that's where these drugs should be coming through. Personally, I would be quite happy to attend a clinic once a month for a check up and collect my prescription as part of my monthly fee.

I'm struggling to see how GPs can possible fit in the extra work. Like most people, it's a 2/3 week wait for an appointment with my GP and has been like that for a few years.

Extra checks have been needed but I don't think GPs are the answer - just because they are already broken under the current workload.

What we really need is for NHS weight loss service to be fit for purpose, that's where these drugs should be coming through.

Wish this was the case!

I also can’t see how GPs will engage with this and feel it will cause delays to treatment.

I suspect it’s more to do with money than safety.

People who aren’t eligible will still try to acquire it. It absolutely won’t stop this, it’s just makes it harder for everyone else.

I’m not sure the article is suggesting your local GP carries out these additional checks though. I’m imagining a service like I get with my private healthcare - I’ve had online video consultations with a GP for example. I’m more concerned that the cost is just going to increase now as these checks will come with a price tag. Clearly more rigour is needed though; I can see easily how people can scam the system if officially they’re not eligible

I guess with GPs I'm thinking of someone like me. Whilst I go every year for a flu jab, they don't weigh me when I am there so I was last weighed at the GP several years ago. I was obese then too so maybe it doesn't matter - and maybe they want medical record access to check I've never had an eating disorder etc. (which makes sense). But surely there is work involved in releasing those records that is going to put more pressure on GP surgeries?

Unless there's a nice electronic way that is quick and easy to grant to pharmacists with the tech already in place?

I wonder what it means for existing customers and how quickly the change will happen.

It just said they will need online video consultations and 'information' from the GP. My GP gets a letter every time I get a new pen notifying them of the prescription. I suppose the letter could say something like 'please notify us if you hold any information that would contra indicate this prescription' and it's up to the GPs to share. I doubt this will make much difference to GPs but may make it harder for people who are faking pictures.

Hopefully they’ll find a sensible way forward. Incidentally, I’ve got surgery next month through private healthcare - the consultant doesn’t have access to my NHS records or history. This is pretty standard with private/NHS.

GP surgeries receive this letter and add the drug to your list of current medicines, highlighted as a private supply/supplied elsewhere. We receive dozens of these letters each day and there is no way patients can be safely monitored on an individual basis.

The online clinics who provide a service they are charging a fortune for need to take responsibility for these checks, just as any other private clinic would.

https://www.pharmacyregulation.org/patients-and-public/standards-you-can-expect-using-pharmacy-services/weight-loss-medications-faq
These are the actual guidelines from the GPhC as to what steps pharmacies should take to ensure safe prescribing.

About time rules were tightened up. It is needed. People have just got to read some of the posts on MN about attempts to get WLI without any photographic evidence / fibbing about measurements to see system is being abused.

Thank for the actual guidelines. I am hopeful they leave enough scope for a pragmatic way through for pharmacies. Though still likely to increase costs a bit, I think?

What are the new rules? I need to reorder today and it’s a 6 to 8 wait to see a GP at my surgery.

Agree with this.

Everyone I see a "which prescriber doesn't tell your GP" post I scream inside!

@Bristolinfeb please read the link I’ve just posted above.

Whilst I think in principle this is a good thing, it does worry me that it will send the counterfeit market into overdrive, which could be very dangerous indeed.

Cost very likely to go up; yet another thing to make the health poverty gap wider.

I think we need to see it as a good thing. Should have been made clear when the WLI’s were licensed in this country!

Oh Christ almighty this is all I need. Despite having a BMI of 33,I still had a bit of a fight to be prescribed Wegovy a few months ago. I got the distinct impression that they thought I was exaggerating! I suppose it's going to get to the point soon where I just don't bother,which will be a shame because I've lost 2 stone in 5 months on it. After previously having lost 6 stone without the weight loss injections,I'd got stuck at 15 stone and had resigned myself to staying at that weight. It's just such a shame that the vanity of some people who really don't need the injections spoil it for those who do.

When do these new rules come into force? What about people who got it when over the BMI limit but are now under it?

I think it's a great idea. Too many people want to get around the rules that are there for their own safety.
I remember weighing someone as part of my job (nurse) and being amazed that he classed as obese as he just looked a bit chunky. Overweight yes, but not obese. You only need to read the threads on here to see that common sense is not that common at all and people are trying to get these drugs when they don't need them, or are injecting their own doses to suit their idea of what their weight loss should look like. The prescribing checks should have been watertight from the start.

You can attend GP’s privately, it doesn’t need to be the NHS GP. And your medical records can be accessed (in England) via the NHS England app.
People with genuine health conditions linked to obesity will easily be able to evidence this and meet the thresholds, without burdening NHS GP’s.

People that will struggle are those that maybe stretched the truth of their situation.

Having read the guidelines, I am wondering if it's an either or scenario.

It says weight must be independently verified but seems to suggest that can either be through a video consultation or through another means, such as GP.

Which is better than I first thought. Not that keen on paying for a private GP appointment for every pen just to get weighed (and many won't, they will just go to their NHS GP for a weigh-in), but happy to do a video consultation of me popping into the scales etc.

This is absolutely what will happen.