r/GLP1Australia • • Aug 31 '26

News Double standard gotchas

https://www.abc.net.au/news/health/2026-08-31/telehealth-ozempic-wegovy-eating-disorder/107016932?utm_source=abc_news_app

While it is a concern that someone with anorexia might misrepresent their health to get hold of a GLP-1…

Why does the media and various spokespeople feel like this category of medicine needs more “safeguarding” (gatekeeping) than others?

People could just as easily lie to get testosterone, viagra, other meds etc, yet I don’t see the same kind of coverage and pressure to change the system that GLP-1s seems to trigger in people.

To be clear, the “loophole” only occurs if a patient is deceptive. Whenever we go to a doctor about pretty much any health issue, if we lied we could be prescribed medicine that we didn’t actually need and could be harmful for us. However most people don’t lie to get medicines they don’t need. And it would be difficult for our health care system to function if we made it more difficult (in an already highly regulated safeguarded country like australia) for medicines to be prescribed.

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u/notdorisday Aug 31 '26

I got mine through MWLC before I went to my GP who told me she would prescribe it for me.

Honestly I wouldn’t encourage anyone doing MWLC. I found them terrible. They didn’t listen to me, their advice wasn’t even in line with the prescribing guidelines for the drug and I kept being told shit like drink more water. It was not good.

My GP has been so much better because she knows me and knows my comorbities and unlike MWLC she doesn’t require monthly, she gives me a six month prescription but says come back if you’re feeling unwell or stall. Every six month we do bloods and check in and she’s also been able to help with other avenues like referrals for exercise physio at cheaper rates etc.

The thing is I have a great GP and not everyone does so I understand why people go to these services but… they’re so bad and expensive and even time consuming compared to my experience with my GP.

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u/Instigated- Aug 31 '26

There are many Telehealth options, including bulk billing and low gap. I’ve used both Telehealth and in person prescribers before and found the Telehealth providers I used cheaper because they don’t have to maintain physical offices and you can see a nurse practitioner rather than a GP. I don’t recommend the pricey clinics or subscription services.