Key Summary
- GPhC officials have written to pharmacy owners, pharmacists and pharmacy technicians to follow the norms regarding sale of prescription-only medicines
- The email highlighted instances of marketing messages being sent to people requesting them to switch from Mounjaro to other weight-management medicines
- The ASA is monitoring whether advertisers are sticking to the rules and will take action where they’re not
The GPhC has expressed concern over pharmacies sending inappropriate marketing messages and advice regarding weight-loss medicines to customers, and warned that action will be taken against them.
The GPhC’s chief pharmacy officer and chief enforcement officer have written to pharmacy owners, pharmacists and pharmacy technicians in response to recent reports.
According to the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) norms, prescription-only medicines must not be promoted to the public.
The email states that marketing messages are being shared via email, websites, and social media, where people are being encouraged to request to switch from Mounjaro to Wegovy or another weight-management medicine.
People are receiving advice about switching to Wegovy or other medicines that is not in line with good practice guidance, local formularies or product licences.
"People are being incentivised to ‘bulk buy’/possibly being supplied with several months’ supply of medication, which does not align with the need for regular reviews and monitoring before further supplies are made."
The email also pointed out that timely responses to their customer service complaints, linked to refund requests and other issues are not being provided.
The email warned that ASA is using its Active Ad Monitoring system to check whether advertisers are sticking to the rules and will not hesitate to take action where they’re not.
Chief pharmacy officer Roz Gittins said they are working closely with the MHRA and the ASA to deal with the issue.
“We are all receiving growing concerns that some people are receiving inappropriate marketing messages and advice from some pharmacies relating to medicines used for weight management. This is especially following the recent announcement of a price increase and reported shortages of Mounjaro.
“We understand that shortages of medicines cause real challenges for both people taking medicines and pharmacy teams. Pharmacy owners, pharmacists and pharmacy technicians need to make sure they are following the standards and guidance from us, the MHRA and ASA at all times in these situations, to make sure people get appropriate information, and safe and effective care,” he said.
Chief enforcement officer Dionne Spence urged pharmacy owners, pharmacists, and pharmacy technicians involved in supplying Mounjaro, Wegovy or other weight management medicines to review the email, and take necessary actions.
“Our inspectors have already been following up with pharmacies, focusing on those that are receiving high volumes of complaints, and will continue to do this.
“Not meeting our standards could result in enforcement action against owners, pharmacists (including Superintendents) and pharmacy technicians,” Spence warned.
MHRA executive director Julian Beach said, “We take concerns about the promotion of medicines to the public seriously. Advertising regulations prohibit the publication of an advertisement to the public that is likely to lead to the use of a prescription-only medicine."
