'Online sale of weight loss jabs should be shut down' says West Midlands pharmacy superintendent
It's as the National Pharmacy Association report found 64% of 25 to 34-year-olds had tried to access the medication.
The National Pharmacy Association (NPA) are exploring whether pharmacies could play a role in the distribution of the NHS weight management programme.
Spiralling demand for weight loss medication, fuelled partly by social media, could see people being tempted to resort to unregulated online suppliers instead of regulated pharmacies staffed by medical professionals, they fear.
Wegovy and Mounjaro are among a number of drugs that are recommended to help tackle obesity on the NHS.
The NHS currently rolls out Mounjaro to patients with a BMI of over 40 and at least four co-morbidities, the NPA says.
The NPA is calling for new regulations to protect patients buying weight loss medication online, so there is a full two-way consultation and all relevant historical medical records are reviewed before the treatment is prescribed.
They are waiting for more details about the role pharmacies could play in the rollout of the NHS weight management programme.
Sandeep Dhami, a West Midlands pharmacy superintendent and Board Member for the Independent Pharmacies Association says he is concerned about the sale of weight loss jabs online.
"I tend to ask people if they really want to buy a medication online from a social media site. If you can see the pharmacist face to face, it's going to be safe.
"I think the online sale of weight loss jabs should be shut down."
"I've seen patients walk into our clinics who have bought medication on social media sites that had been sold with incorrect instructions."
Mr Dhami says he is in support of pharmacies assisting the NHS with their weight loss management scheme, as well as selling the medication.
"Pharmacies can do so much more with the correct funding and knowledge. Pharmacies are open seven days a week so it's easy to come and see a pharmacist."