Dutch weightloss doctor selling prescription for diabetes medicine Ozempic online

A doctor at a Dutch weight-loss clinic is selling prescriptions for the diabetes drug Ozempic, currently popular among people wanting to lose weight, via Marktplaats. RTL Nieuws bought a six-month prescription from the BIG registered doctor for 200 euros. He sent the prescription to a pharmacy and the medicine was delivered without a consultation, medical check, or even asking about other medications being used.

Ozempic treats symptoms of type 2 diabetes and Dutch health insurers only reimburse it for this purpose. Doctors can also prescribe it for people with severe obesity, but only after diagnosing that a healthy diet and more exercise won’t be sufficient. The medicine became extremely popular among people who want to lose a bit of weight after celebrities like Kim Kardashian and Elon Musk promoted it on social media.

The demand is currently so high that shortages are arising, and people with diabetes are struggling to get their medicine. In February, the Duch Association of General Practitioners (NHG) urged doctors to stop prescribing Ozempic to people with obesity. Switching to a different drug can be harmful to diabetes patients, and they need priority access to Ozempic. In April, the medicines authority CBG also urged Dutch doctors to be frugal with their Ozempic prescriptions to new patients.

Despite this, RTL Nieuws easily bought a six-month prescription on Makrtplaats. The broadcaster posed as someone wanting to lose weight and messaged the seller. “We don’t have anything better than this medication. It is a very hip/popular product, and that is, of course, not without reason,” he replied. “I am also a doctor, due to personal circumstances, I write prescriptions outside of work.”

RTL agreed to pay 200 euros for a six-month prescription but asked for a telephone call first to make sure the seller was not a scammer. Since the coronavirus pandemic, Dutch doctors can prescribe medicines to someone they haven’t met in person, but only if the medicine does not require a physical consultation and if the doctor knows the patient’s medical history. Ozempic requires a consultation, which did not happen. The doctor also did not ask for RTL’s medical history or current medications. The broadcaster did manage to identify the doctor during the call. The doctor made no effort to find out who he was talking to, according to the broadcaster.

RTL paid the 200 euros and the doctor sent the prescription to an online pharmacy, who delivered the Ozempic to a collection point four days later.

Marloes Dankers, a pharmacist and the manager of the Institute for Responsible Medicine Use (IVM), is “shocked” that RTL managed to buy an Ozempic prescription so easily. “A good medical assessment is required for Ozempic to determine whether this drug is suitable for you or not. For example, can it be used with other conditions that you have or medications that you use? Things can go horribly wrong there.”

The doctors’ federation KNMG told RTL that it disapproves of what the weight loss doctor did. “The KNMG believes it is inappropriate for doctors to offer prescriptions via online platforms like Marktplaats. It is contrary to professional standards, and it is essential that doctors follow legal regulations and professional guidelines when prescribing medicines to ensure the safety and well-being of patients. Prescribing in this way could pose serious risks to patients’ health.”