Concerns over weight-loss jabs prompt nearly 750 GPhC fitness to practise referrals

 The General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) has received nearly 750 concerns in 2025 related to the supply of weight-loss injections, including semaglutide and liraglutide, marking a sharp rise in fitness to practise referrals. The surge follows increased public demand for injectable weight-loss treatments and the proliferation of online prescribing services, some of which operate with minimal clinical oversight.

Concerns raised include inappropriate prescribing, lack of patient screening, misleading advertising, and failure to provide adequate follow-up care. Many cases involve pharmacists working with remote prescribers or supplying medicines without verifying patient eligibility or contraindications.

The GPhC has reiterated that registrants must adhere to professional standards regardless of the business model, and that breaches may result in FtP investigations, interim orders, or removal from the register.

The regulator is currently reviewing its guidance on online pharmacy services and has launched targeted inspections of high-risk providers. It is also working with other healthcare regulators to address cross-jurisdictional risks and ensure consistent enforcement.

This trend underscores the regulatory challenges posed by consumer-driven healthcare and highlights the importance of maintaining clinical integrity in the face of commercial pressures. Pharmacists are reminded that their professional accountability remains paramount, and failure to uphold standards may result in serious FtP consequences.

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