Online pharmacies rapped for selling weight-loss jabs without full checks

Two online pharmacies are bringing in enhanced measures after it was found they were selling weight-loss injections without proper safeguarding checks.

BBC journalists were able to order so-called skinny jabs to Northern Ireland from Voy and MedExpress using false data and out-of-date images, with no further verification required.

Only obese patients, whose weight, height or body-mass index (BMI) are verified independently by the prescriber, are allowed access to the drugs.

Voy has said it has updated its online checks while MedExpress said enhanced checks will be in place by April.

Industry regulator the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC), which investigated both firms, said it was "very concerned" at the findings.

An eating disorder charity said it was "incredibly worrying" that the injections were available "without even the most basic due diligence".

"In the wrong hands, we know that these medications can be very, very dangerous and can worsen harmful thoughts and behaviours for people who are unwell," said Nicola Armstrong of Beat Eating Disorders told BBC Radio Ulster's Consumer Fight Back.

"They could actually contribute to an eating disorder developing for somebody who is already at risk."

What are weight-loss injections?

Weight-loss injections, such as Wegovy and Mounjaro, are widely used across the UK for weight management.

Latest estimates by researchers from University College London suggest about 1.6m adults in the UK have used them in the past year, with most of them bought through private prescriptions rather than on the NHS.

One company, MedExpress, has declared a 339% increase in orders from Northern Ireland between 2024 and 2025.

In Northern Ireland, only those with type 2 diabetes who meet certain criteria can access the drugs on the NHS.

Patients can access the drugs privately but must be able to demonstrate they medically qualify, based on their BMI.

For online prescribers a health profile, including height, weight, GP details and medical history must be completed by the patient.

Full body images are also requested to confirm the person is obese.

The GPhC guidelines say a prescriber must "independently verify" the information provided.

However, when Consumer Fight Back ordered the drugs from Voy and MedExpress, it told the pharmacies the person weighed three stone heavier than they did. A four-year-old photograph, stripped of metadata which could indicate when it was taken, was uploaded to support the submission.

Both MedExpress and Voy accepted the photograph and submission without further checks, and the medication arrived the next day.

What checks can online pharmacies do?

The GPhC's chief pharmacy officer Roz Gittins said it had already issued MedExpress with an improvement action plan after an inspection and that it would "following this up to re-check compliance with our standards and guidance".

In the improvement action plan, it's stated MedExpress will build functionality for live photos, making them more difficult to fake.

It added that it was investigating the concerns raised about Voy by our investigation.

GPhC guidelines state that an online pharmacy could independently verify the person's weight, height and BMI through a video consultation, in person or by contacting another healthcare provider such as the person's GP.

Hira Malik, from online pharmacy Oushk, said it uses live video calls for verification.

"We will ask them to actually step on some scales to confirm that they are the weight that they are and we also confirm their height," she said.

Nicola Armstrong, from Beat Eating Disorders, said the lack of verification presented real risks.

"Some of the side effects of weight-loss injections, like nausea and vomiting, could also be very triggering to someone who has an existing eating disorder," she said.

"Really, what we need to see are more stringent checks in place, including mental health assessments, so that these medications are only prescribed to people who are well enough to take them.

'Explosion' in people using weight-loss drugs

Dr Frances O'Hagan, head of the Northern Ireland GP Council, said there were two main issues with online ordering of weight-loss injections. If GPs are told, then they have to "double-check their (online pharmacies') homework"; and, if they're not told, then "we have no idea unless that patient actually tell us".

She said she had seen an "explosion" in people taking the drugs.

"There are so many of my patients on it, it's unbelievable."

She has had occasions when online prescribers have informed her that a patient has been given the drugs, but other occasions when they have not – which can present considerable risk.

Dr O'Hagan gave one example of a doctor colleague who had a diabetic patient, on insulin, who was prescribed weight-loss drugs online, adding that "can be really dangerous".

The drugs can also interact with hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and the contraceptive pill.

What have Voy and MedExpress said?

In a statement to the BBC, Voy's Chief Medical Officer, Dr Earim Chaudry said: "Private providers like Voy play a crucial role in delivering clinically-led, safe and deeply personalised treatment programmes to those looking for immediate care."

He added that they are "aware of our responsibility" to enhance access to this type of care and that "all treatments offered through Voy are prescribed only following a thorough medical assessment by UK-registered clinicians in line with established clinical guidelines".

Treatment is only provided "where it is clinically appropriate" he said and that patients are monitored afterwards for safety and effectiveness.

MedExpress said: "Patient safety and complying with legislation and regulations relating to prescription-only medicines is always our priority.

"In line with this, we have been working with the General Pharmaceutical Council since April 2025 to implement stronger safeguards."

Those extra safeguards are due to be in place by April 2026.

The company said all photos submitted are screened and they will continue to work with the GPhC and other regulators to ensure that "our services safeguard patients whilst giving people access to the care that they need".