Why do weight loss providers ask for your GP details?

[sj798]

I've tried to order tablets for the first time from Boots but have been rejected. I think it's because I didnt include my gp name and practice. Does anyone know why you need to include that information? I'd rather they didn't know. Is it the same for every provider? Thanks

Because they contact your gp to let them know that you are taking medication. Why don’t you want your gp to know?

It’s a minimum legal obligation on their part, surely? What if you became unwell and your GP was unaware that you were taking a prescription medication and prescribed something that was a contra-indication to the WL medication?

I don’t understand the angst of not wanting your GP to know unless you’re not actually overweight?

It's good practice, because your GP is (for nearly everyone) your "usual" prescriber and will have the information available to them about what other medications you take and what health conditions you may have. The online pharmacies will either directly notify your GP, or produce a letter for you to download and send to your GP. If they don't know your GP details they may ask for permission to access your NHS summary care record instead.

It's not a legal requirement, but it is what nearly all of the pharmacies will do.

It is standard for your GP to be informed for any private medical care. Why dont you want them to know?

Some don't. It's not a legal requirement at all! Increasing numbers of people don't even have gps. Mayfair weight loss don't insist, neither do UK Meds. I'm sure there are others.

With lots of online pharmacies, it’s optional.

Swift Doctor is one that doesn’t tell your GP if you don’t want them to.

I definitely am overweight! I'm not sure why I dont want my gp to know. Maybe I need a rethink. Thanks for the info.

Because people lie. Lie about their weight, conditions they have , medications they’re on etc. By sending a letter to the GP , they’re doing bare minimum due diligence, by giving them a chance to contact them and correct any issues or discuss it with you directly.
My GP doesn’t read the letters anyway.

I put a fake gp address, I don’t wan’t it in my medical record.

@happybug1234 yes I think that was my thinking. I dont want the gp to know. I'm going to be paying for the tablets so I cant see that it has anything to do with them.

I ordered on VOY and it optional to tell the GP so I didn’t.

Of course it has something to do with them. This is a prescription only medication whether that is prescribed by your gp via the NHS or you are paying for it privately. It should be on your medical records as should any drug you are prescribed.

Because you would need their help if anything went wrong or you had an illness and the medication they might prescribe could have a contraindication .

Your GP needs to know in case they want to prescribe you something that is contraindicated with the GLP, or if you become unwell and the hospital ask for your notes and medications.

Why on earth would you not want them to know? You're one of millions, they won't give a shit.

@Sunnyday321 the online pharmacy is responsible for checking any contraindications for existing medications and should the Op need any new medication prescribing she can tell her GP at that point. If it happens.

Drug interactions, for example with anti coagulants

Or if you go to the GP with symptoms that might be due to drug side effects (all drugs have the potential to cause side effects). It's helpful for the GP to know what you are putting into your body in order to make sense of symptoms you might be having

Yes I know but my point is the gp needs to know to prescribe any new medication to a patient .

Then the OP can inform the GP at that point. I’m not saying that GPs shouldn’t be informed, but if some people would rather do that on their own terms then I wouldn’t want that to be a barrier to accessing suitable medication privately.

The wife of a colleague became acutely and dangerously ill (something to do with her pancreas I think) as a result of WLIs. Luckily her doctor had been informed and had seen this before, so was able to refer her somewhere urgently because they had all the information. Why wouldn't you want them to know?

Was the wife of the colleague unable to speak when seeing her GP?

You would be glad your GP knew if you were suffering from side effects or went to them with an illness which required prescription medication. They are a prescribed medicine so can have contra indications with some other medicines which can cause serious illness / complications. As an example a friend of mine has had great success losing weight but has ended up with serious gall bladder / stones - a known complication and is in agony waiting for surgery as her GP new they were able to avoid lots of useless tests. But no you will be the first to complain if that happened !

Also you need to declare on travel insurance as they are a prescribed medication.

@Aligirlbear the risks for gallstones are being overweight, being forty or older, being female, having had children. I think the GP would have been extremely extremely remiss not to consider gallstones as a first thought and order the appropriate tests! Being aware that they are also taking a GLP1 would not change that decision making process.

I know people want to chide and scare the OP and tell her off for not wanting to share information but these scenarios are not good examples of why people must tell their GPs!

People don’t always disclose medications/conditions because it makes them ineligible.

Yes, I’m sure they do. That’s not what the OP is saying she wants to do though. Pharmacies that don’t inform GPs automatically are not being negligent in their practice.

They have to know as it needs to be on your medical records. Otherwise you could be prescribed something that would react badly to it. Especially in a situation where you may not be conscious.