AssetID: 54467921
Headline: UNCAPTIONED: Pharmacists Demand Stricter Rules for Weight-Loss Jab Sales Amid Safety Concerns
Caption: Pharmacists Demand Stricter Rules for Weight-Loss Jab Sales Amid Safety Concerns. Pharmacy leaders warn against the online sale of weight-loss jabs, highlighting risks to patient safety and improper prescriptions for individuals with low body weight or prior eating disorders. The National Pharmacy Association (NPA) calls for tighter rules and urges a mandatory 20-minute consultation instead of relying on online questionnaires to access drugs like Wegovy and Mounjaro. In a letter to the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC), the NPA says current regulations leave room for unsafe dispensing practices and compromise patient safety. NPA chairman Nick Kaye emphasized that while weight-loss jabs can help tackle obesity, they must be prescribed as part of a managed treatment program with proper consultation and medical record reviews. Ministers are looking to expand NHS access to weight-loss injections, while private online pharmacies already serve hundreds of thousands of patients annually. The NPA advises avoiding unregulated online sellers, which may offer counterfeit products, and stresses the importance of examining patients’ medical histories before prescribing. Ashley Cohen of the NPA warns that these injections, while effective for individuals with a BMI of 30 or more, can cause side effects like stomach upsets, nausea, and gallstones. Increasing numbers of people without obesity are seeking weight-loss jabs as a “lifestyle” medication, raising concerns about inappropriate use. The GPhC said all pharmacies, including online ones, must follow guidance ensuring patient safety and plans to release updated regulations addressing high-risk medications like weight-loss jabs. The NPA insists weight-loss injections should only be used with regular reviews and appropriate oversight, ensuring they serve as a medical solution rather than a quick fix. Instructions: THIS VIDEO MUST NOT BE EDITED FOR LENGTH TO COMBINE WITH OTHER CONTENT
Keywords: Health & Wellbeing,Pharmacists,Demand,Stricter,Rules,Weight-Loss,Jab,Sales,Safety,Concerns,National Pharmacy Association,NPA,Mounjaro,Individuals,Eating,Disorders,Wegovy,Urges,Health,Obesity,Tackle,Ozempic,Online,Questionnaires
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