GLP-1 Clinical Guidelines (NICE, MHRA, Manufacturer)

All GLP-1 receptor agonists used in the UK, including semaglutide (Wegovy), tirzepatide (Mounjaro), and liraglutide (Saxenda), are prescription-only medicines.

Their use is tightly regulated by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), and individual manufacturers through Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC) documents.

Medicspot follows these clinical frameworks closely and adds additional layers of patient safety, including identity verification, Summary Care Record (SCR) checks, and 12 months of structured aftercare.

NICE recommendations provide the clinical foundation for how GLP-1 drugs should be used in the NHS and private sector.

Eligibility and Indications

According to NICE technology appraisal TA875 (2023), semaglutide for weight management is recommended for adults with:

• A body mass index (BMI) ≥35 kg/m² and at least one weight-related comorbidity, or
• A BMI between 30 and 34.9 kg/m² if referred to a specialist weight management service.
  

NICE also states that treatment should only be initiated as part of a specialist weight management programme involving multidisciplinary support.

Semaglutide should be prescribed alongside a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity, with continued supervision and support. (NICE TA875, Section 1.2)

Medicspot applies this principle by combining clinical prescribing with behavioural coaching, nutrition support, and lifestyle tracking.

NICE guidance specifies that treatment should be discontinued if:

• Less than 5 percent weight loss is achieved after six months of use, unless clinically justified.

Medicspot adheres to this standard through structured review points with every patient and provides additional coaching where weight loss has plateaued before considering discontinuation.

The MHRA oversees the licensing and safety of all medicines in the UK.
It requires prescribers and pharmacies to:

• Verify patient identity before dispensing prescription-only medicines.
• Review contraindications, potential drug interactions, and pregnancy status.
• Report adverse events through the Yellow Card Scheme.

Medicspot integrates these processes directly into its digital workflow.

• Every patient undergoes ID verification and Summary Care Record (SCR) checks to confirm medication history and allergies.
• Prescriptions are fulfilled only after review by a UK-registered prescriber.
• All adverse reactions are reported through MHRA channels to ensure pharmacovigilance.

Each GLP-1 medication has a detailed Summary of Product Characteristics outlining dosage, escalation, contraindications, and patient monitoring requirements.

For example:

• Wegovy SmPC: Recommends gradual dose escalation to minimise gastrointestinal side effects, and ongoing assessment of response and tolerability.
• Mounjaro SmPC: Highlights monitoring for pancreatitis symptoms and adjustment in renal impairment.
• Saxenda SmPC: Specifies discontinuation criteria at 16 weeks if less than 5 percent weight loss is achieved.

Medicspot’s prescribing model aligns with each manufacturer’s dosing and monitoring framework, ensuring patients receive evidence-based, individualised care.

Comprehensive Prescriber Oversight

All prescriptions are reviewed by a UK-registered clinician with experience in obesity management.
Every consultation includes a medical questionnaire, medication review, and SCR check before approval.

Verified Prescriptions

Medicspot uses secure ID verification to ensure medication is dispensed only to the intended patient, meeting both MHRA and GPhC standards.

Structured Aftercare (12 Months)

NICE emphasises that GLP-1 therapy must be supported by continued lifestyle and behavioural follow-up.
Medicspot goes further by offering 12 months of structured aftercare for all members who remain on treatment for at least four months:

• First 3 months: Weekly coaching and clinical check-ins
  
• Next 9 months: Monthly follow-ups focusing on long-term maintenance and relapse prevention
  

Medicspot’s programme provides ongoing multidisciplinary support well beyond the minimum standard set by NICE, ensuring sustained weight loss and behavioural change. Dr Abby Hyams, Chief Medical Officer

Medicspot’s approach aligns with core NICE principles for safe and effective GLP-1 prescribing. All treatment decisions and follow-up processes are structured to meet or exceed current UK regulatory expectations.

Clinician oversight is central to the service. Service design is led by GPs, with dispensing carried out by pharmacists and additional support provided through health coaching. Eligibility is assessed using verified BMI and comorbidity information gathered during the intake process, supported by Summary Care Record checks.

Patients receive ongoing behavioural support through a structured 12-month aftercare programme. Treatment progress is reviewed at defined intervals, including a six-month efficacy checkpoint that informs continuation or discontinuation decisions.

Safety monitoring is built into the service, with adverse events managed in line with MHRA requirements and reported through the Yellow Card system where appropriate. Patient identity is verified using secure digital processes, ensuring a complete audit trail throughout the course of treatment.

GLP-1 medications must be prescribed within a strict clinical framework defined by NICE, MHRA, and manufacturer guidelines.
Medicspot not only meets these standards but extends them through full patient verification, pharmacovigilance, and 12 months of structured aftercare. This ensures every patient receives safe, evidence-based, and sustainable weight management support.

You can complete an online health assessment if you would like to explore whether GLP-1 treatment may be clinically appropriate for you – start the assessment.

Dr Abby Hyams completed her medical training in Bristol and has been a GP for 19 years, spending many of those as a partner in an NHS practice in Hemel Hempstead. She has a particular passion for supporting patients with weight loss and promoting positive behaviour change, helping individuals build sustainable habits that improve their long-term health and wellbeing.

This article is for general information only and should not be used for the diagnosis or treatment of medical conditions. Medic Spot Limited has used all reasonable care in compiling the information but makes no warranty as to its accuracy. Consult a doctor or other healthcare professional for diagnosis and treatment of medical conditions. In the event of an emergency, please call 999 for immediate assistance.

There is no guarantee of a specific weight loss medication being prescribed. Clinicians will review your online questionnaire alongside other independently validated medical information about you and will recommend the most appropriate weight loss treatments for you based on your answers. In some cases, the clinicians may contact you for additional information. See Terms of Service for more information.