More checks -Online pharmacies

[Tammy214]

I have had several MJ pens from an online pharmacy (simple online) however they have just requested a GP , originally as i have private healthcare at work this is what i stated. which seemed fine then, 3 pens later they asked for more details, i added an old gp which i am not even sure i am still registered with.
so it might be that I have to either find another pharmacy register (which is a huge pain and i dont really want to do).

It does seem that they are getting stricter (from some of the recent posts here), which i think is ultimately good, just annoying that they didnt raise this at the start.

What is the issue with giving your GP details? I’d be more concerned if the provider didn’t ask, tbh.

As i said i dont use a GP i have private healthcare, i dont have a problem if they want to access medical records, but I avoid GPs for many reasons as have bad experiences in the past.

Edit:
they should have raised this before they gave out the firsrt jab, as i said i am 3 pens in, so its a bit late not to be worried about anything

There are lots of advantages to being registered with a GP and keeping your GP/NHS record up to date with any private treatment/health checks you are receiving.

Especially if you ever need urgent care in A&E.

they should have raised this before they gave out the firsrt jab, as i said i am 3 pens in, so its a bit late not to be worried about anything

I can see it can be annoying, but can also see it is never too late for improvements for patient safety.

If the patient has no contradictions on their GP record it is just annoying admin, if they do have contradictions then the pharmacist can review their prescribing/advice if necessary.

I shop around each month and most pharmacies now ask if they can inform my GP. I think it’s probably a bit aggravating for my GP to receive a different letter every month from a different supplier (just creating more admin for them) but whereas it used to be optional, now it’s mandatory before you can place an order.

I also just had to do a complicated thing with Lloyds Pharmacy for their BMI check. Had to change settings in my phone to allow their app to use the camera and then film myself on scales in front of a full length mirror. Then had to submit photo of my ID, photo of me posing with my ID, photo of my side and front profile.

I get it - so many people are trying to fake it with AI photos - but it is a bit of a faff!

I used to swap every month for the best price but since lots of places have introduced videos etc in staying with the same place, for the sake of £25 difference it's not worth the hassle and running the risk of being rejected etc if I don't do the video right 🙄

trust me I am aware of the benefits of a GP but as i say my main records are online and if i was needing urgent care or A&E they can see that.

this thread is not 'should i have a GP'. Trust me, i understand my health and i keep it checked

Yes i can understand that, when contemplating jabs initially I thought i might do that, but then i found the ordering easy and so didnt both. Now with the additional checks which i think are good, its more hassle for not much gain, since i am aiming this to be a short term solution it didnt see it as an option.

On the one hand I can see why stringent rules might be on the surface at least keeping people safe (in reality they couldn't give a shit about your well being, only their checks from the general pharmacy regulator being OK, and the money frankly) it's also pushing people to buying tirz, as a peptide and bypassing this, much much cheaper and I've never had a problem.

the problem is i dont want to register with a GP, i dont see the need yet and wont need it until the menopause rears it head. Right now , private healthcare covers all my needs which arent much, and i get my yearly check up there.
Its also not admin, its a registration that i dont want to participate in.
when i finish the course of MJ i will likely get a GP as i will want my blood work done to some things, but its not worth it whilst on the jab for obvious reasons.

Agree, if they really cared they should have checked there was atleast a postcode of the GP in the field, but they werent bothered.

You are brave, but savings are there for people who are up for that. Am lucky its just less eating out for me or buying 'stuff'. It will be interesting to see if they actually are contact GPs, because i know if they are they will have to call me about the issues on my records as the are not the average things.

I was surprised to hear how many people are faking with AI, i had assumed the need for photos would cut this out but didnt think about the AI angle. This is definately an area i think is important, lots of body dysmophia out there

If Simple aren’t satisfied without an actual specific GP there are some who don’t insist on GP details being shared. Someone else said it’s mandatory which is incorrect. I’ve used 2 providers (fully ghpc registered) who allow it to be optional. Happy to share info if you want.

I thought notifying gp was mandatory now, be it via the pharmacy or you yourself doing it with a letter they provide,

I think ultimately you will need to provide a gp, be it now or in a few months, so I’d consider registering it doesn’t mean you need to use them or ever visit.

I don't think (I could be wrong) the GPhC makes it mandatory to inform a GP, but if a pharmacist doesn't they then need to be able to fully evidence and explain how their prescribing decision is safe which is difficult/expensive to resource when prescribing remotely and in large numbers. Much easier/cheaper for them to send a letter to GPs and ditch the (potentially risky) customers who will not give permission.

This is a comment from the Oushk (one of the few pharmacies inspected since the tighter guidelines) GPhC enforcement action last year -

The pharmacy must ensure that a person’s GP is informed when medicines for weight loss are supplied, and that people explicitly consent to this. Records must be available to confirm this has been done. The pharmacy must be able to demonstrate that prescribers make clear records explaining their justification for prescribing, in circumstances where there is no consent to share information with the person’s GP.

No it’s good practice but not mandatory to do either. More and more do insist on the information provided and you consenting to it being shared but it’s down to each provider. I’ve used probably 10 suppliers and only one has ever wrote to my GP. 2 don’t even have my gp details.

Its interesting so i had a message back to say they have confirmed i am registered with that old gp and my records have been updated. Be interesting to see if I have to chat to a doctor when i next order, if not i know they havent really checked records just updated them

It's a lot cheaper than £25... my last order from NUman's as a 1st time customer was £139 for 15mg

As regulations tighten up, more and more online pharmacies will be asking for videos. My provider always asks for proof of weight with a video every time I order. Pain to do but easy enough. I just need to remember to order when I’m at home so I can get the video done immediately.

I did ask them if this was a mistake but they confirmed no and it’s to encourage existing patients to get into the habit before it’s mandatory.