A New Zealand woman’s experience using an online weight loss clinic has raised concerns about how Ozempic, a popular weight loss drug around the world, is prescribed.
Ozempic is approved for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. It also suppresses a patient’s appetite and has been in high demand for several years as an aid to weight loss.
The drug is not approved in New Zealand for weight loss purposes, but doctors should follow Medical Council guidelines to consult patients thoroughly, advise them of possible side effects, and tell them that the drug is not approved. Can prescribe medicine.
The woman spoke to 1News on condition of anonymity. She explained that she obtained her prescription for Ozempic from an online platform called Dr. Frank’s Weight Loss Clinic. Although it is based in the UK, it has offices here and, according to its website, New Zealand registered clinicians on staff.
The woman said she spent 15 to 20 minutes on the phone with Dr. Frank’s nurse to get a prescription. She was asked to watch an online video from the clinic. Her prescription was approved and she received a month’s worth of Ozempic delivered to her.
Have you used Ozempic for weight loss? Contact Simon Mercep at [email protected]
She said she had an immediate bad reaction to the drug.
“I got very, very sick,” she said. “I was vomiting all the time.
“I had a lot of bile, severe indigestion and heartburn. It felt like my body was burning from the inside out. I was extremely constipated.”
But she said she kept taking the medication because she wanted to lose weight. Her side effects subsided a little over a few weeks, so she went to see Dr. Frank at the end of the month and she already had her one prescription filled. She was given a laxative, but she eventually stopped taking Ozempic after 7 weeks.
“It’s become unbearable. It’s starting to interfere with my work.”
She said the prescriptions cost about $600 a month and she lost about 10 pounds in a few weeks.
The woman spoke to 1News after watching a report on TVNZ’s Sunday program 60 Minutes about an Australian woman who took Ozempic to lose weight. She also got sick, but she continued to take her medicine. She later died. Her husband blamed it on drugs.
Ozempic says in its international advertising that there are possible side effects.
1News asked the women how much advice they received about side effects during their phone consultations with Dr. Frank’s nurses.
“I don’t remember anything,” she said. “I was told to watch a video on Dr. Frank’s website.”
She said that although the video mentioned side effects, she believed it was not emphasized enough.
“There was no indication that they were there.” [side effects] It’s going to be just as tough as them. ”
She also said Dr Frank’s nurses did not tell her that Ozempic was an unapproved weight loss drug as set out in Medical Council guidelines.
The woman still had the Ozempic package. All the information pamphlets were written in French.
1News asked Dr. Frank about his use of French, his advice on side effects, and the practice of having nurses examine patients rather than doctors.
It did not specifically answer these questions, but said in a statement that it is registered and approved by the New Zealand Medical Council and has a team of New Zealand doctors.
It also said, “Patient welfare and safety are paramount in all operational and clinical processes. We make every effort to communicate effectively with patients throughout their treatment.” Ta.
1News asked the Medical Council about Dr. Frank’s situation. “Dr Frank’s is not registered with the Medical Council of New Zealand and we do not ‘endorse’ Dr Frank’s NZ in any way or for any purpose,” CEO Joanne Simeon said in a statement. ” he said.
1News also asked Medsafe how much Ozempic is entering the country. The records show that since June of this year, 11 packs of unapproved Ozempic have arrived through wholesalers. Medsafe said it believes it is a small amount.
Drug regulators also picked up small quantities of counterfeit Ozempic at the border.
