Thinking about starting weight loss treatment? Whether going down the NHS or private route, you will at some point have to complete a consultation. Weight loss injections like Wegovy and Mounjaro are only available on prescription in the UK, so you can only get these drugs after a healthcare professional has checked that they’re safe and suitable for you.
Now, you might be wondering what actually happens during the consultation. Here, we’ll walk you through the different types of consultations, what to expect from our easy online process, and why regulated providers matter more than ever.
Why do I need a consultation to get weight medicines?
Weight management medications like Semaglutide (Wegovy) or Tirzepatide (Mounjaro) are not available over the counter in the UK. These drugs aren’t suitable for everyone, and using them incorrectly can be harmful, so they’re only available on prescription.
To get a prescription, you must complete a consultation with a qualified prescriber. They will assess your health and decide if treatment could help you manage your weight. Your prescriber can also help you choose the right medication and dose for you, ensuring your treatment is as safe and effective as possible.
If you’ve found a website selling weight loss treatment without the requirement for a consultation, be cautious. Consultations aren’t just a formality but a legal and safety requirement. There has been a sharp rise in counterfeit weight loss pens being sold through unregulated websites in the UK (1). These fake medications are dangerous and have been linked to serious health problems.
To protect yourself, don’t skip the consultation, and always make sure you’re getting treatment from a regulated UK provider.
Different types of weight loss consultations in the UK
There’s no one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to weight loss treatment consultations. Depending on your situation, you might go to your NHS GP, visit a private clinic, or use a trusted online provider like us.
NHS consultations
If you decide to go through the NHS, you’ll usually start by speaking to your GP. If you meet specific criteria, they may refer you to the NHS weight management service or prescribe weight loss medication directly (2).
The benefit of this route is that you don’t need to pay for a consultation, and your GP already has access to your medical history. But there are some downsides. Appointments can be hard to get, wait times can be long, and the eligibility criteria are strict and aligned with NICE guidelines, often limited to those with a BMI of 35+ or serious weight-related health conditions (3-4).
Private in-person clinics
An alternative is to visit a private clinic specialising in weight management. Private healthcare offers more flexibility than the NHS, with shorter wait times while providing a personalised, face-to-face experience with a prescriber (5).
The private route can be expensive, as you’ll often have to pay for the consultation, treatment, and all follow-up appointments. Private clinics also often only operate in some regions of the country, meaning they’re often not accessible to everyone. Depending on where you live, you might be short of options.
Online consultations (like ours)
An intermediate option is requesting weight loss medication online from a regulated online pharmacy like Oxford Online Pharmacy (6). You avoid the wait times and stricter eligibility criteria of the NHS, while dodging the high prices of private healthcare.
Our online consultations involve answering questions about your health and medical history, which you can complete from the comfort of your home. One of the independent doctors will review your responses, and a prescription for weight loss medication will be issued if the doctor determines it’s safe and appropriate for you, or we may ask you for a few more details.
What happens during an Oxford Online Pharmacy consultation?
At Oxford Online Pharmacy, the online doctor service is quick, simple, and safe—fill out our consultation and a doctor will review your answers and, if you’re eligible, prescribe a suitable weight loss treatment.
But what exactly will be covered in your consultation? We will ask questions about:
- Your medical history, including any long-term conditions, allergies, and current medications.
- Your weight and height so we can calculate your BMI and check that you meet the UK eligibility criteria for weight treatment.
- Any other health conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes, or high cholesterol. People with a lower BMI may qualify for treatment if they have added risk factors.
- Your understanding of weight loss medication to ensure you know how it works, possible side effects, and how to use it safely.
We’ll also ask for permission to inform your GP and consent to access your NHS Summary Care Record. This is compulsory for safety, but it also helps keep your medical records up to date. Sometimes, we may also ask you to upload proof of ID or a previous prescription.
We understand some of these questions may feel personal, but they’re necessary for regulatory reasons and are there to protect you. They help make sure you get the right treatment and that it’s safe for your individual needs. We’ll never issue a prescription automatically, and every decision is made by a real doctor who reviews your answers and puts your health first.
What happens after I submit the weight loss consultation?
Once you’ve answered our online questions, you’ll be asked to choose your preferred weight loss medication, pay for the treatment, and submit the consultation. Your request will then be reviewed by one of the independent doctors who work with our team. They will either:
- Approve your prescription for your preferred treatment;
- Ask follow-up questions via your secure online profile; or
- Suggest an alternative treatment if the medication isn’t suitable for you.
Importantly, we’re a fully regulated UK pharmacy, our doctors are GMC-registered, and all prescriptions are based on real medical assessments. We don’t issue prescriptions automatically, and there is a chance you won’t qualify for any weight loss drugs, in which case we will let you know and issue any refunds due in full.
However, if approved for treatment, your medication will be dispensed from our pharmacy and delivered directly to your door. You can trust that the medication you receive is genuine and right for your unique health needs.
Ready to start your weight loss consultation?
Our service is quick, simple, and secure, and all prescribing decisions are made by independent doctors who care about your health.
Still want to explore your options? Browse our available weight loss medications here or check out our weight management articles for more advice.
References
- Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency. UK medicines regulator warns against buying weight loss medicines without a prescription this New Year [Internet]. GOV.UK. 2024.
- NHS. Treatment - Obesity [Internet]. NHS. NHS; 2023.
- National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. Overview | Semaglutide for managing overweight and obesity | Guidance [Internet]. www.nice.org.uk. NICE; 2023.
- National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. Overview | Tirzepatide for managing overweight and obesity | Guidance [Internet]. www.nice.org.uk. NICE; 2024.
- Kollewe J. Private healthcare boom fuelled by NHS waiting lists [Internet]. the Guardian. The Guardian; 2024.
- Pharmacy details | GPhC | Oxford Online Pharmacy [Internet]. Pharmacyregulation.org. 2024.