GLP-1 drug prescribed to woman with eating disorder through telehealth

A 25-year-old Australian woman with a history of anorexia nervosa says an online clinic prescribed her a GLP-1 weight-loss drug after what she described as a simple phone consultation.

Kate, a pseudonym used by the ABC, was last hospitalized in 2022. She had since managed her condition with a general practitioner and a wider healthcare team. After learning about GLP-1 receptor agonists from a colleague, she saw an Instagram advertisement for an unnamed telehealth clinic and booked an appointment.

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I booked my initial consultation and after that appointment it was criminally easy to access the medications.

She said the clinic did not screen her for an eating disorder. Kate also acknowledged that she lied about some health details during the consultation, then told the clinic she wanted to use a GLP-1 medication. After a blood test, she received the prescription during a second phone appointment.

“I booked my initial consultation and after that appointment it was criminally easy to access the medications,” she said.

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For the most part was not happening.

The drugs, sold under brand names including Ozempic, Wegovy and Mounjaro, can help regulate weight and improve some chronic health conditions. Health experts also warn that people with eating disorders may misuse them, potentially causing severe nutritional deficiencies and other complications, including death.

Sarah Trobe, a clinical psychologist and national director of the National Eating Disorder Collaboration, said eating-disorder screening was “for the most part was not happening.” She said people with anorexia may seek access to GLP-1 drugs and called for stronger safeguards. Australia currently has no endorsed national standards for virtual care, although the federal government has recently taken action in that area.

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The eating disorder voice is seeking that; anorexia will try and get access to a GLP-1.