Pharmacist Suspended for Inadequate Prescribing Practices of Saxenda via Online Consultations
Date of Decision: October 20, 2025
Registrant's Role: Pharmacist
Allegations:
- Inappropriate prescribing and dispensing of Saxenda
- Failure to obtain adequate health information prior to prescribing
- Overreliance on online questionnaires
- Failure to consult or access GP medical records
- Absence of face-to-face consultations in some cases
- Failure to consider medication misuse and dependence
- Prescribing against NICE guidance
- Failure to ensure appropriate risk assessments, SOPs, and audit systems
- Inadequate ID checks and record keeping
- Prescribing without adequate indemnity insurance for international patients
Outcome: Suspension, 3 months with review
GPhC Standards Breached:
- Standard 1 – Provide person-centred care
- Standard 2 – Work in partnership with others
- Standard 3 – Communicate effectively
- Standard 4 – Maintain, develop and use professional knowledge and skills
- Standard 5 – Use professional judgement
- Standard 9 – Demonstrate leadership
Case Summary
Allegations
The registrant, a pharmacist and Superintendent Pharmacist at Burwash Pharmacy, faced a series of serious allegations relating to the unsafe prescribing of Saxenda, a prescription-only weight loss medication. Between 2019 and 2022, Saxenda was issued through online consultations with patients, primarily relying on self-reported questionnaires without robust clinical verification.
Concerns were raised by healthcare professionals after discovering their patients had received multiple Saxenda prescriptions without appropriate engagement with their regular GP or appropriate clinical oversight. The evidence indicated that for Patient A, there was no face-to-face consultation, no attempt to access GP records, and no thorough lifestyle assessment. The medication was prescribed despite knowledge that the patient had poor dietary habits and limited physical activity—contravening NICE guidelines which state that pharmacological interventions like Saxenda should only follow failed lifestyle changes and with close monitoring.
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