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MHRA’s Wegovy warning is overdue – we need more safeguards for pregnant women

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MHRA’s Wegovy warning is overdue – we need more safeguards for pregnant women

During her pregnancy, Katherine Bridges was unsettled to learn just how accessible weight loss jabs are. She tells pharmacy teams why this matters

The MHRA’s report addressing the inappropriate prescription practices surrounding Wegovy highlights a concerning issue within the pharmaceutical sector.

The prevalence of the misuse of prescription drugs and lack of rigorous clinical safeguards underscore a need for heightened accountability among healthcare professionals, especially pharmacists, to prevent patient harm and uphold the integrity of clinical standards.

Access and accountability

Approximately a year ago, during my own pregnancy, I undertook an investigation into the ease of accessing GLP-1RAs through various online pharmacies.

My findings were alarming: the process lacked adequate clinical barriers to protect individuals from potential misuse. In my case, despite the well-documented risks of using such medications during pregnancy, I encountered minimal preventive measures from these platforms. 

This experience emphasises a troubling gap in the healthcare system, particularly when dealing with drugs like Wegovy, which are intended for weight management under strict clinical oversight.

One of the primary concerns is that Wegovy, a medication meant to support weight loss for patients deemed appropriate by qualified healthcare providers, is being prescribed to individuals for whom it is neither safe nor intended.

This indiscriminate prescribing practice has led to increased admissions in emergency departments and primary care settings across the country.

As healthcare providers, our clinical accountability is fundamental, particularly when prescribing medications with potential health risks.

A critical factor within the pharmacy sector is the lack of peer accountability, a practice more established among nursing and medical professionals.

This responsibility to ensure appropriate prescribing practices is paramount.

If pharmacists or clinicians observe instances of inappropriate prescribing, driven solely by revenue generation rather than patient need, it is incumbent upon them to report such practices. Such accountability is essential to safeguarding the integrity of the profession.

Addressing gaps in recordkeeping

Additionally, a significant deficit in clinical recordkeeping within some pharmacy settings further exacerbates this issue. Unlike other healthcare fields where rigorous documentation is standard, there are currently limited mechanisms for tracking and recording assessments and follow-ups related to prescription drugs like Wegovy.

The absence of detailed clinical records poses a risk, not only to patient safety but also to the legal and professional standing of the pharmacist. In instances where patients experience adverse events, potentially leading to hospital admission, a lack of clinical documentation leaves pharmacists vulnerable to legal repercussions and professional disciplinary action.

Clinical recordkeeping is indispensable in protecting both patient health and professional licensure. Pharmacists must prioritise building comprehensive records of all assessments, even in virtual consultations.

It remains essential to recognise which services are clinically appropriate for online delivery and which require in-person evaluation. Decisions surrounding patient care must be governed by clinical judgment, not merely by convenience or financial incentive.

The pharmacy profession must advance towards robust accountability, peer oversight, and stringent clinical documentation. By implementing these measures, pharmacists can strengthen their professional standards, safeguard patient welfare, and ensure their practice aligns with the foundational principles of healthcare ethics.

Katherine Bridges is clinical lead at Charac

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