'Skinny jabs' too easy to order online, GP warns

A GP has called for tighter checks to prevent so-called "skinny jabs" being sold online to people who do not meet the criteria for them.

Dr Ali Ilyas, from Cleethorpes, North East Lincolnshire, said patients had admitted using weight-loss drugs such as such as Wegovy and Mounjaro without qualifying for them.

According to the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPC), online pharmacies should verify people are suitable for the injections through an "appropriate consultation" or by accessing medical records.

However, during two test purchases, the BBC was able to obtain drugs simply by falsifying the applicant's weight and supplying photographs.

Dr Ilyas said: "It's happening a lot, people going on to these online providers and getting their way around by filling out simple online forms without any actual consultation.

"On average we probably get 15 to 20 requests every day for the weight loss injections.

"We can point them to the relevant weight loss services but they still might not be able to get the injections."

Dr Ilyas said it was the responsibility of the prescriber or provider "to make sure that they are doing the right thing".

"People should be aware that if they are getting something like this without any appropriate consultation it might lead them to serious harm," he added.

Guidelines from the National Institute of Clinical Excellence state weight-loss injections should only be offered on the NHS to an adult who is obese with a BMI of at least 35 and has a pre-existing weight-related health condition.

Private online prescribers should follow the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) guidelines, which state Mounjaro is authorised for adult patients with a BMI of 30 or more.

The drug can be given to those with a BMI as low as 27 if they have weight-related health conditions such as prediabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or heart problems, the guidelines state.

In February 2025, the GPC introduced new rules which said online pharmacies should not rely solely on an online questionnaire and should independently verify the person's weight, height and/or body mass index.

However, two online pharmacies, MedExpress and Juniper, prescribed drugs within days after the BBC's reporter filled in an online questionnaire and provided details of their medical history and GP, with no in-person or virtual consultation.

Juniper said "a deviation from protocols was identified which does not reflect our usual practice and we will be taking the appropriate action".

"Juniper is committed to providing safe and responsible access to prescription-only weight loss medications in strict accordance with all applicable guidelines," the company said in a statement.

"All patients are assessed by qualified prescribers with expertise in this treatment area to ensure the appropriateness and safety of every medication that is supplied.

"We take our responsibility for patient safety extremely seriously and are looking into this matter with the utmost urgency."

MedExpress was contacted for comment.

Weight-loss injections such as Wegovy and Mounjaro work by mimicking a hormone called glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1).

This is an intestinal hormone which is released after eating, and typically makes people feel fuller.

The drugs are available on the NHS in England, Wales and Scotland, but must be prescribed by a weight management service.

However, it is estimated that hundreds of thousands of people are getting prescriptions privately through online pharmacies.

Rebecca Quarmby, 32, from Goole, began ordering Mounjaro from an online pharmacy four months ago, before the rules were tightened.

She said she wanted to lose a stone in weight after giving birth.

"I've always struggled losing weight," she said. "I was flicking through TikTok and Mounjaro was constantly popping up.

"I've got friends who are on it and I just thought I'm going to try it.

"It was a very easy process – all I had to do was fill out a simple questionnaire about my weight.

"I did lie about my weight just to meet the threshold so that I could definitely be eligible for it.

"All they wanted was two pictures, but that was it and I got the pen within 24 hours."

Ms Quarmby said she was thinking of coming off the drug after suffering hair loss, which she believes could be linked to the medication.

"To begin with I was very tired and, as weeks went past, I also started to see symptoms like hair loss. I brush my hair and it comes out in small clumps."

Hair loss is listed as a "common" side effect in the drug's patient information leaflet.

The most common include feeling sick, vomiting, stomach pain, constipation and diarrhoea while, in rare cases, serious side effects can include acute pancreatitis and severe allergic reactions.

During the BBC's test purchases, both MedExpress and Juniper provided warnings about the potential side effects from taking the drugs.

In a statement, Roz Gittins, the GPC's chief pharmacy officer, said that, since February, weight-management drugs had been on the list of high-risk medicines requiring extra safeguards before being prescribed.

"We expect the pharmacy team to always verify the information the person provides before the medicine is supplied, to ensure that it is suitable for them.

"We continue to follow up on all concerns raised with us, and during our inspections, checking that GPhC-registered pharmacies are meeting our standards.

"We will also continue to work closely with other regulators and take action when needed to protect the public."

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