<div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Fill out a questionnaire, send a few photos, answer a call from a doctor.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>For some Australians, that's all it takes to get weight loss drugs delivered straight to their door – and it's making experts nervous.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>A rising number of telehealth companies are offering prescription medications like Wegovy (similar to Ozempic), Saxenda and Mounjaro online without customers ever having to meet a medical professional face-to-face.</span></div></div><div><div id="adspot-mobile-medium"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/anthony-albanese-china-trip-prime-minister-to-meet-with-xi-jinping/6fa824e0-8eaf-4487-8476-3772a8ad4eb6" target="_blank"><strong><span>$120 billion export on the table for Albanese's China visit</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Many of these companies say their goal is to help Australians who don't have the time to wait for a GP appointment to access weight loss treatment in a more convenient way.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>But these low-touch telehealth models could in some instances make it easier for Australians who may not need weight loss drugs to get their hands on them.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Including millions living with or at risk of an eating disorder.</span></div></div><div><div class="OUTBRAIN" data-reactroot="" data-src="//www.9news.com.au/national/weight-loss-medication-online-telehealth-subscription-services-eating-disorder-risk/e4edb39b-5a43-41e6-bd69-986639ce90a1" data-widget-id="AR_5"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><h3><strong><span>Weight loss drugs available online</span></strong></h3></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>A number of telehealth companies currently operating in Australia offer prescriptions for brand name weight loss drugs based on information that can be easily faked.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Prospective customers are typically required to fill out an online questionnaire about their physical health and medical history, and submit photos of their body.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>This information is used to decide if they are eligible for weight loss treatment.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>But there's nothing preventing customers from lying about their health or submitting digitally altered photos of their bodies.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>If deemed eligible, customers are connected with a prescribing doctor via phone or video call for additional assessment before being approved.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>If approved, they can order the prescribed medication online and have it delivered to their home through a telehealth subscription model.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/world/small-plane-crashes-london-southend-airport/9c41bd43-ae0f-4b55-992f-f3cb007fb99f" target="_blank"><strong><span>'Fireball' after plane crashes at London airport</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>A number of telehealth companies offering weight loss drugs state on their websites that they adhere to rigorous eligibility criteria and work with expert practitioners to ensure they approve patients who qualify for treatment.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Many also say they highlight information about common side-effects associated with weight loss drugs and offer ongoing support from medical professionals and health coaches.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>These services are pricier than going to the GP for a weight loss prescription and getting it filled at a pharmacy but some Aussies are willing to pay for the convenience.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Or for the lack of scrutiny, suggests Head of Communications and Engagement at The Butterfly Foundation Melissa Wilton.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Anecdotally, we have heard of people exaggerating their weight to access these medications," she said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"We have also heard reports of people photoshopping or editing their bodies to appear larger than they really are."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><h3><strong><span>Eating disorders on the rise</span></strong></h3></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>An estimated 1.1 million Australians currently live with an eating disorder, a figure which has increased by more than 20 per cent over the last decade.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>More than one in 10 Aussies will experience an eating disorder in their lifetime but fewer than one third get treatment or support.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Experts fear these telehealth services make it easier for those affected to access weight loss drugs when it's not appropriate for their physical or mental health.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Patients know about these medications and are seeking them," dietitian and RACGP Obesity Management chair Dr Terri-Lynne South told 9news.com.au.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"And they know how to fudge the results to any questions that are asked, if they're asked."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>There's nothing preventing patients from lying when asked about eating disorders as part of the telehealth screening and without access to a patient's health records, it can be difficult for medical professionals to pick up on warning signs over the phone.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/western-australia-two-new-public-holidays-when-are-they/11caa855-dcd5-43c6-baae-461cd0dbe189" target="_blank"><strong><span>One Aussie state looks to add two new public holidays</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="player__video-container"><img alt="" src="https://imageresizer.static9.net.au/rQ0dgQQiIVfpg4og6ncxuN3QiJY=/750x0/https%3A%2F%2Fvms-network-images-prod.s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com%2F2024%2F12%2F656142%2Fpickerimage.jpg"/></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The Butterfly Foundation advocates for video call screening as an absolute minimum standard, but encourages in-person assessments wherever possible.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"It's essential that people seeking weight loss medications receive comprehensive psychological and medical assessments, including reviewing history of eating disorders or disordered eating concerns, as well as potential risk," Wilton said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>This is especially important because eating disorders are very complex psychological and physical illnesses that don't always present in the number on a scale.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Many Australians who experience eating disorders do so in larger bodies but weight loss drugs shouldn't be seen as a "band aid" solution for them either.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><h3><strong><span>The ethics of advertising weight loss drugs</span></strong></h3></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Many of these telehealth companies employ direct-to-consumer marketing via social media, where some have tens of thousands of followers.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The Therapeutic Goods Advertising Code and other advertising standards ban them from naming the weight loss drugs they sell.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Some advertise weight loss drugs as a "quick fix" and fail to highlight the risks and side-effects, others use shame-based messaging and stigmatising imagery.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"We have noticed an increase in companies skirting the law, often specifically targeting people with body insecurities, which can increase body dissatisfaction," Wilton said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>South added these advertisements, which often include before and after photos and language that glorifies weight loss, "just smack of how weight-centric our society still is".</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/world/jeffrey-epstein-investigation-donald-trump-defends-pam-bondi-amid-maga-fallout-over-her-handling-of-case/df507d36-2104-435f-be54-22d4297271d4" target="_blank"><strong><span>Trump attacks his own 'selfish' MAGA base over Epstein memo</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Butterfly and other organisations in the Eating Disorder Alliance are advocating for tighter regulations and increased governance around advertising and prescribing weight loss medications, especially for telehealth businesses.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>They're calling for comprehensive medical assessments before prescribing, measures to ensure telehealth providers are accountable to a safe standard of practice, increased awareness about the risks associated with weight loss medications (especially for individuals with or at risk of eating disorders) and stricter marketing regulations.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>South added that GPs must be equally careful about how and when they prescribe weight loss drugs to patients in-clinic.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"There is a lot of pressure on on GPs to do what they call 'six minute medicine' [and] that leaves no time to do some of the more appropriate checks and balances," she said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><em><span>For confidential and free support for eating disorders call the Butterfly National Helpline on 1800 ED HOPE (1800 33 4673) or visit</span></em><span> </span><a href="http://www.butterfly.org.au/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title=""><em><span>www.butterfly.org.au</span></em></a><span> </span><em><span>to chat online or email.</span></em></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/how-to-follow-9news-digital/29855bb1-ad3d-4c38-bc25-3cb52af1216f" target="_blank"><strong><em><span>DOWNLOAD THE 9NEWS APP</span></em></strong></a><strong><em><span>: Stay across all the latest in breaking news, sport, politics and the weather via our news app and get notifications sent straight to your smartphone. Available on the</span></em></strong><span> </span><a href="https://apps.apple.com/au/app/9news/id1010533727" target="_blank"><strong><em><span>Apple App Store</span></em></strong></a><span> </span><strong><em><span>and</span></em></strong><span> </span><a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=nineNewsAlerts.nine.com&amp;hl=en_AU&amp;pli=1" target="_blank"><strong><em><span>Google Play</span></em></strong></a><strong><em><span>.</span></em></strong></div></div>