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.

This is exactly my concern.

it seems like a great regulation, if you are overweight then surely you absolutely should be going to your GP anyway? Also seems like a money saver so those people who are in fact indelible will not be getting the drugs. But most importantly it looks like it’s about patient safety. Why would you think it’s unreasonable to for pharmacies to prescribe more safely? Is this really about the fact you don’t like going to the GP?

Also folks need to remember there is a political element to this, so many people are pissed off that these drugs exist, the amount of folks getting seriously ill is minimal and it is basically due to fakes or reckless usage ie taking too much.

ao putting this in place is also partly about pr to stop the noise. It will stop folks getting it when they shouldn’t from regulated pharmacies, but increase the black market in fakes and put more folks at risk that way.

I don’t think my GP would see me about me being overweight. It’s hard enough to get a phone call about my HRT review. I guess I could get a post 40 health MOT with the nurse.

I don’t think gp;s see people or people see gp’s simply as they are overweight, normally they go due to another health condition. I think you’d struggle to find many people who became overweight and then went to see their gp simply due to that fact.

It’s interesting so many people are annoyed about this drug which will save the nhs billions, and improve overall well being of so many - and people are mainly paying privately, so no financial burden to others. Doesn’t feel like that’s something to be annoyed about.
I agree people are though !

I don't really see an issue here. People who meet the criteria will still be issued a private prescription for it. I'm not a fan of doing video calls with strangers, but if it's necessary then it's necessary.

What problems does it cause for people who genuinely need it and meet the criteria?

What do you think a GP would say if you made an appointment to tell them that you’re overweight?

Don't panic. They won't be applying these standards retroactively, nobody will be able to independently verify their starting weights.

It could cause delays. If gp’s don’t respond or chemists can’t put in enough staff to do video calls, access medical records etc,

there is likely about 600 thousand on these drugs privately in the uk now, It’s a lot of extra admin work,

Good point,

Why do you think this is likely?

I don’t think it’s a requirement to access medical records ?

The information from the GP is likely to be a one off letter confirming there aren’t any contraindications for the medication. So a one-off delay. That’s not really a major concern, compared to the benefits of ensuring pharmacies are acting appropriately.

The chemist’s staffing issues are their own problem. There are dozens of options of where to buy the medication, people will just use the ones that aren’t causing massive delays. That’s not really an impact on the patients themselves.

There really should be tighter checks. The online pharmacies charge a lot of money so the costs should come from there. Maybe they should cease doing the 'offers' and referral codes so pricing is clearer from the start and people know what it includes.
You only have to look at the number of posts here asking about companies that won't tell your GP or that don't need ID or pictures. Maybe part of the money could go to pharmacies who could offer a check service where they confirm weight and ID?

I have used these drugs and they have been life changing. I did my research. I've gone from BMI 38 to 28. I'm losing the last stone or so on my own - around 1-2kg per week ( it'sdifficult as i currently cant exercise fully due to a car accident but hopefully will be able to in a few weeks). The drugs gave me chance to change my lifestyle. I've knocked 10 minutes off my 5k time, got into a good exercise pattern and completely transformed my diet & how i see + think about food. My DH has lost over a stone just through changes I made to the household. I genuinely needed this and would have attended f2f or virtual consultation, I'd have done whatever was asked.

I briefly joined a FB group about them but left after 3 days as there was so many posts about scamming the system. People telling people to put layers on for photos, put weights in your pockets etc One poster was even advising buying high dose pens, counting clicks and sharing with people to make it cheaper!! These people will always exist.

The actual guidelines say video/face to face, medical records or via gp confirmation,

Ah that will cause delays. What a shame that a few not being eligible will delay the medication for others.

Maybe high street chemists could make a nice little sideline by verifying weight.

I really think it’s right that GPs should be notified. If eligible for the drugs then notifying your GP shouldn’t be an issue.

Why will it? The prescriber will need to set up a video call with the patient and confirm weight that way. Just like the photo requirement now, it won't be asked for every month, probably every few months. I'm really not sure why people are so worried. It's not going to require a GP appointment just to get weighed.

Seeing a GP just because one is overweight?! Are you UK based? I struggle to get an appointment with my GP when I am actually acutely sick, let alone for something that a GP is going to say is lifestyle based and their advice is going to be some variation of just eat less and move more

Edited to add - unless one is morbidly obese, in which case I believe they will make you jump through various "weight management" programmes, with long waiting lists, that also are variations of "eat less and move more" and then shame and blame you when that doesn't work

It's a disgrace that a safe and tested solution the biggest issue for the NHS, obesity, has not had a fast track process for prescribing, monitoring and supporting patients.

So they decided they don't like a few people who shouldn't get it can get it do they'll put loads of restrictions on private providers to do those checks and probably increase the cost for the patient. People who are desperate and have found the drug to be a miracle for them.

GPs will see this as a cash cow (they in effect private businesses) and no doubt start charging for any work done in this. The same way they charge £50 to sign a letter confirming what is in our own records.

Why is the NHS working quickly to help people?

There is likely in the region of 600 thousand people on these drugs, the sheer staffing alone to do the video calls will take time to put in.

Apparently none of this is an official requirement yet. The GPhC have not issued new requirements to their members.

It is all media click bait for now. Additional checks may come in, and certainly things like GP notification and ID checks should be compulsory but many of the measures are likely to meet heavy resistance

Agree - and apologies for worrying anyone when I started the thread (I was worried myself!).

Oushk have just updated everyone to say, basically, it's 'business as usual' for the time being but video consults may be required in the future to meet the guidelines. Maybe not with every single pen, but regularly. Orders currently in progress will not be impacted.

So, perhaps this will not be as disruptive as we first feared

I placed order this morning. Been on MJ for three months already. I will update you later on if anything in the process has changed.