Interest in weight-loss drugs such as Ozempic and Wegovy has grown significantly in recent years.
At the same time, many online healthcare companies now offer quick access to similar treatments without requiring an in-person doctor’s visit.
According to KFF Health News, as cited by NBC News, a growing number of physicians and researchers believe this trend is cause for concern.
They argue that patients are not always being thoroughly evaluated before receiving prescriptions for these medications.
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More errors reported
Data from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) show that the number of reported errors involving GLP-1 medications has increased sharply.
KFF Health News reports that more than 25,000 error-related incidents were recorded in the United States in 2025, compared with just over 2,000 in 2020.
Many of these errors involve incorrect dosing, misunderstandings about how to use the medication, or prescription mistakes.
Limited oversight
Many telehealth companies sell both the consultation and the medication itself.
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Critics argue that this model can make it more difficult to ensure that patients receive the guidance and monitoring they need.
Research cited by KFF Health News also shows that an increasing number of prescriptions are being written for people who do not have diabetes, obesity, or excess weight.
Growing risks
Regulators have issued warnings to several companies regarding the marketing of compounded versions of weight-loss medications.
Several manufacturers have also filed lawsuits against businesses selling alternative versions of their products.
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Experts fear that the easy online availability of GLP-1 medications could increase the risk of medication errors, side effects, and inadequate patient monitoring.
Sources: NBC News and KFF Health News.
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