More GPs are contacting the Medical Defence Union (MDU) for advice about disclosing information to online pharmacies when patients are prescribed weight loss medications.

With the popularity of drugs like semaglutide and tirzepatide as weight loss aids, GPs are increasingly being approached by online pharmacies to check if there is anything in a person's medical history that might make the prescription inappropriate.

The General Pharmaceutical Council yesterday published guidance that all online pharmacies are expected to follow when supplying weight loss medicines. It advises pharmacies to independently verify information the patient provides which could include checking with their GP.

Dr Ellie Mein, MDU medico-legal adviser, said:

"GPs have an ethical duty to share accurate and up-to-date information with those providing patient care. However, when they are contacted by pharmacies for information about patients receiving weight loss medications, they can face a dilemma about whether they can rely on the pharmacy's reassurance that a patient has consented to their information being shared. Another issue is what to do if a patient has misrepresented their BMI or medical history to the pharmacy.

"Our advice is that if it becomes clear there may be a risk to the patient in receiving the medication, GPs will need to discuss this with the patient and check if they agree to this being shared with the pharmacy. If the patient objects, GPs will need to explain this to the pharmacy - and it will then be for the pharmacy to consider whether the prescription is appropriate.

"Investigating these requests places an additional burden on GP practices at a time when they are already under strain. However, if there isn't a robust system in place to gather relevant information before a prescription is provided, patients could be at risk and prescribers vulnerable to criticism and medico-legal investigations."

The MDU advises GPs to make it clear to pharmacies that a general review of the patient's notes may not capture every relevant consideration the prescriber might need to know. The prescriber would need to go through the patient's online records with them so they can satisfy themselves they are prescribing in line with the guidance from their regulator.

The MDU has issued more detailed advice to GPs on disclosing information for patients' weight loss medication.

GPs raise confidentiality concerns with MDU about patients on weight loss medications

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