An online weight loss consultation is a free health questionnaire you complete online, which is then reviewed by a GPhC-registered independent prescriber to check whether a weight-loss medicine is clinically appropriate and safe for you. If it is suitable, the medicine is dispensed by a UK pharmacy and sent by tracked delivery; if it is not, you are told why. You only pay if a treatment is prescribed and you choose to proceed.
What actually happens during an online weight loss consultation?
An online weight loss consultation follows a set sequence designed to confirm that a prescription-only medicine is clinically appropriate before anything is dispensed. At The Weight Clinic, the process has four stages.
- A free online questionnaire about your health, weight, height, medical history and any current medicines.
- Clinical review by a prescriber — a GPhC-registered independent prescriber reads your answers to check treatment is appropriate and safe.
- A short video consultation where clinically needed — not every patient needs one, but the prescriber may request it.
- Dispensing and delivery — if suitable, the medicine is dispensed by our own UK pharmacy and sent by tracked delivery, with ongoing prescriber support.
You can begin the free eligibility check at any time, and a prescription is only issued if it is clinically appropriate.
What information will you be asked for?
You will be asked for the information a prescriber needs to prescribe safely, because weight-loss medicines are prescription-only and are not suitable for everyone. Expect questions covering:
- Your height and weight, so your BMI can be calculated.
- Weight-related conditions such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure or sleep apnoea.
- Your full medical history, including any past pancreatitis, thyroid conditions, or eating disorders.
- Any medicines or supplements you currently take.
- Whether you are pregnant, planning pregnancy or breastfeeding.
Answering honestly and completely matters: the prescriber relies entirely on what you report to judge safety. Giving inaccurate information can lead to a medicine being prescribed that is not safe for you.
Who is eligible for weight-loss treatment online?
Weight-loss medicine may be prescribed online if you are aged 18 or over and have a BMI of 30 or more, or a BMI of 27 to 30 with a weight-related condition such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure or sleep apnoea. Meeting these criteria does not guarantee a prescription — the prescriber still checks that treatment is safe for you individually.
Treatment is generally not suitable if you are pregnant, planning pregnancy or breastfeeding; have type 1 diabetes; have a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma or MEN2; have a history of pancreatitis; have severe gastrointestinal disease; have an active eating disorder; have severe liver or kidney impairment; or are allergic to the active ingredient.
Is an online consultation as safe as seeing a doctor in person?
A properly run online consultation is safe because the same clinical checks apply: a GPhC-registered prescriber reviews your history, decides whether treatment is appropriate, and can request a video call before prescribing. The key is verifying the service is genuinely regulated rather than an overseas or grey-market seller.
At The Weight Clinic, medicines are dispensed by our own GPhC-registered pharmacy, North Harrow Pharmacy (GPhC registration number 1034996), which you can confirm on the General Pharmaceutical Council register at pharmacyregulation.org. The Superintendent Pharmacist is Andrew Lane (GPhC 2027876), and we are registered with the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO). You can read more about The Weight Clinic.
How do you check an online pharmacy is legitimate?
You check an online pharmacy is legitimate by confirming its registration on the GPhC register and checking that a named prescriber and pharmacy are responsible for your care. A trustworthy UK service makes these details easy to find.
- GPhC registration — look up the pharmacy's registration number on pharmacyregulation.org.
- A clinical consultation — a legitimate service never sells prescription medicine without one.
- Genuine, MHRA-licensed medicines — never unlicensed or grey-market products.
- A named Superintendent Pharmacist and registered prescribers.
- Data protection — ICO registration and compliance with the NHS Data Security and Protection Toolkit.
What does it cost, and when do you pay?
The online consultation itself is free, and you only pay if a treatment is prescribed and you choose to go ahead. What you pay then depends on which medicine the prescriber recommends and the dose you are on; the figure covers the medicine, dispensing and tracked delivery, with ongoing prescriber support.
For reference, the monthly cost of the medicines we supply by starting dose is listed below. These are plain facts to help you plan — the right treatment is a clinical decision, not a price decision.
| Medicine | Form | Starting monthly cost |
|---|---|---|
| Mounjaro (tirzepatide) | Weekly injection | £160 (2.5mg) |
| Wegovy injection (semaglutide) | Weekly injection | £115 (0.25mg) |
| Wegovy Tablet (oral semaglutide) | Daily tablet | £115 (1.5mg) |
| Foundayo (orforglipron) | Daily tablet | £115 (0.8mg) |
You can see all options on our treatments overview or the weight-loss injections page.
What happens after you are prescribed a medicine?
After a medicine is prescribed, it is dispensed by our UK pharmacy and sent by tracked delivery, and you begin at the lowest starting dose so your body can adjust. Each of these medicines is titrated gradually, with escalation reviewed by a prescriber rather than changed on your own.
Common side effects across this class of medicine include nausea, diarrhoea, constipation, vomiting, decreased appetite and fatigue, which often ease as your body adjusts. Rare but serious risks include severe allergic reaction, acute pancreatitis and severe gastrointestinal disease. Report any side effect to the MHRA Yellow Card scheme at https://yellowcard.mhra.gov.uk/, and contact your prescriber if symptoms are severe or persistent.
Ready to start?
You can complete the free online consultation in a few minutes, and a GPhC-registered prescriber will review your answers. If you have questions first, you can contact us or read more on the blog.
This article is for information only and is not a substitute for personalised medical advice. Weight-loss medicines are prescription-only, are not suitable for everyone, and are prescribed only after a clinical consultation with a GPhC-registered prescriber. Individual results vary. Always speak to a UK-registered pharmacist or doctor before starting or changing any prescription medication.
