Little-known rule for Mounjaro users as it's rolled out across UK
Mounjaro users in the UK have to jump through quite a few hoops to get their hands on the weight-loss drug.
You might think that you're golden once a doctor has agreed to prescribe the stuff, but you'd be sadly mistaken.
In a bid to crack down on Brits misusing the GLP-1 medication, online pharmacies have reportedly introduced some verification measures which apply when people require a fresh prescription.
Patients are required to submit full-body photos or videos of themselves, which are then reviewed by health practitioners, to assess whether they actually need weight loss jabs like Mounjaro.
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UK doctors were given the power to prescribe the diabetes drug, also known as tirzepatide, from Monday (23 June) - but only to people who meet a certain criteria.
Patients must have a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 40 or over, or 37.5 if they come from a minority ethnic background, to satisfy the requirements for a Mounjaro prescription, but that's not all.
Those who want the weight loss drug must also be suffering from four out of five of the following conditions: type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, heart and vascular disease, high cholesterol and obstructive sleep apnoea.
If you tick all of these boxes, the NHS will likely deem you to be one of the people with the 'greatest need' for Mounjaro.
Without a valid prescription from a registered medical professional, the sale of weight loss drugs is illegal - but amid the popularity of them, there's concern that people might try and bend the rules.
So, to ensure that people who are using drugs like Mounjaro are actually doing it for the good of their health rather than simply getting thin, online pharmacies have brought the unorthodox measures in.
According to the Daily Mail, the video and image verification step was introduced amid pressure from UK health chiefs to police the weight loss drug market.
Social media users who have been taking the medication have been taking to sites such as Reddit to share their surprise about the demand for physical updates from registered prescribers.
One person shared a message from his medication supplier which read: "As you have been on the medication for over six months, can you please provide us with a short video [or photograph] of yourself clothed, head to toe.
"If you can also ensure your clothes are tight fitting, this will help clinicians gauge your progress. This is a new regulatory requirement set in place by the regulator and is mandatory."
Another person added: "Been on Mounjaro since march without issues but they’ve now emailed me asking for a photo and ID after ordering my latest prescription. Has anyone else had this recently?"
And a third raised concerns about the nature of the images, asking: "I’m starting to get a little worried about the photos the pharmacies need for re-prescriptions. Are people taking these in their clothes, in the underwear. Are you covering your faces?
"I’ve never been great having photos taken as I’m always so self conscious, I’m heading up to my first repeat prescription and worried about the photos."
It appears as though that people who have lost large amounts of weight could be told that they will no longer be able to obtain the drugs.
A spokesperson for Superdrug Online Doctor - which distributes Mounjaro, Wegovy and Ozempic - told the Mail that 'patients are required to provide additional live photos for our clinical team to review.'
The firm said this 'ensures safe prescribing decisions', adding: "The timing of this review is dependent on the individual patient's weight loss journey and its request is at the discretion of the doctor."
Asda Online Doctor said the same, with a spokesperson explaining: "To patients concerned about their ongoing access to medication, we want to reassure you these checks are not intended to block treatment."
Online pharmacies have been urged to act responsibly by NHS England's national medical director, Sir Stephen Powis, saying that 'drugs including Ozempic and Wegovy should only be used by patients who are prescribed them for obesity or diabetes.'
He emphasised that these kind of medications are 'not intended as a quick fix for people trying to get beach-body ready.'
Health Secretary Wes Streeting also urged for 'much closer clinical oversight and regulation' over weight loss jabs in the UK, adding: "I'm genuinely terrified that someone is going to die."
Eli Lily, the manufacturers of Mounjaro, told LADbible: "Patient safety is Lilly’s top priority. Mounjaro is approved for weight management in adults with obesity – it is not for cosmetic weight loss.
"We support efforts and guidance that support it to be used responsibly for its authorised use."
Olivia Burke