Pharmacies bypass new BMI checks, allowing underweight patients to obtain Wegovy pills
A Mirror investigation found several online pharmacies ignored mandatory in-person or video BMI verification, letting users upload AI-altered photos to obtain Wegovy weight-loss tablets.
Under recent guidance from the General Pharmaceutical Council, pharmacies must verify a patient’s body-mass index via face-to-face or video appointments and check medical records before prescribing Wegovy tablets. The Mirror’s test, using AI-edited photos to appear obese, showed that three online pharmacies accepted the falsified images, with two sending the medication without a live consultation. One pharmacy, DoTor, later said it will only accept live camera captures after the incident.
Experts from BEAT and Weight Medics warned that such lax checks could exacerbate eating disorders and pose serious health risks, urging regulators to impose penalties and improve public awareness. The investigation also highlighted broader concerns about under-18s, underweight individuals, and patients with contraindicating conditions accessing the drug. Regulators and the MHRA reiterated that GLP-1 medicines should be limited to approved medical uses.
Why it matters
Lax verification lets at-risk people obtain powerful appetite-suppressants, raising safety and public-health concerns.
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