Simple Online Pharmacy 2024 GLP-1 Weight Loss Survey - NHS vs Private

There is currently a significant demand for online access to medication, and particularly for weight care medication. We have recently launched renu, an app built to provide support for patients aiming to lose weight - either using weight loss medication or on their own. With this demand, we wanted to ensure our patients were well-supported in their weight care journeys.

As one of the largest providers in the UK, we wanted to understand more about motivations for using a private online service.

We wanted to understand our patients’ reasoning for paying privately for their weight loss medication rather than obtaining it through the NHS. Specifically, we asked our patients the following question: “What was your main reason for choosing to privately pay for your weight loss medication”?

The answers we received to this question varied depending on the different BMI brackets.

27% of patients in the category BMI 35+ answered that “I tried accessing weight loss medication via the NHS but it was too difficult/ too long”. For our Wegovy patients specifically, this was over 30%.
This compares to 15.7% in the lower BMI bracket of 30-34.

The majority of people indicated that their main reason for paying privately was that “I did not know I could get weight loss medication on the NHS” (28.9%), with the exception of our more recent Wegovy patients - for them, the main reason was that they tried accessing weight loss medication via the NHS but it was too difficult or took too long. It should also be mentioned that at the time the survey was completed, the NHS Tier 3 weight management service was not available in some parts of the UK, and was not available to patients that had a BMI under 35. However it is still of note that for patients in the 35+ BMI brackets, that in theory should qualify for the NHS weight management service, 28% were not aware that weight care medication was available via the NHS.

Across all brackets, 11% selected their main reason for choosing to privately pay for weight loss medication being “I wanted the privacy of discrete packaging offered by an online service”, and 9% stated that they “wanted the convenience offered by an online service”. Therefore, a total of 20% of respondents were going private specifically for the discretion or convenience that can only be offered by an online service.

For example, through Simple Online Pharmacy, a patient can submit an online assessment form for review by a UK registered prescriber; if their assessment is received by 3.30pm and approved they will receive their order the next day in discreet packaging.

When asked why the respondent felt they were getting the additional care on their weight loss journey from Simple Online Pharmacy, results were very aligned. Participants could select multiple reasons. Out of all answer options, the top five were:

69% said it was because the service is efficient
61% said it was because the medical questionnaire was very robust and professional
45% said it was because they are a UK registered pharmacy
37% said it was because they had confidence they always supply genuine medication
35% said it was because they could get support whenever they needed it

Simple Online Pharmacy is a registered UK pharmacy which only uses accredited, regulated wholesalers for supply of medication and UK licensed GPs as prescribers. Additionally, with Simple Online Pharmacy, patients get all-encompassing care to help them on every step of their weight loss journey in the form of a dedicated weight loss app, renu, which is free of charge for all of our weight care patients. This app combines advice from clinical experts in the field of nutrition, movement and psychology to support patients on their journey.

These results, together with the quotes from patients below clearly evidence the trust and confidence our patients have in our service and care, and the convenience and access that it provides;

“I was confident in the authenticity of SOP website and the medication supplied. I would worry other websites were selling fake or unlicensed products that could endanger my health.”
“They are easily contactable to help and offer advice if and when needed. I also received an email with tips on how to maintain the weight loss with life style choices and you are also able to track your journey.”
“Questionnaire you have to answer is very robust and I have used Simple Online Pharmacy before and its a great service and feel safe and secure using them.”
“Holistic approach along with medication gives me confidence in maintains new habits long term”
“I have used SOP for a lengthy period of time, built up trust and respect for them. Medication is always at hand and the support and follow-up consultations give me that extra help whenever its needed.”
“I started in Feb this year worked straight away and I lost weight from the start. I would be eligible for NHS Prescriptions, but I live in N. Ireland and as our assembly hasn’t sat for 3 years it hasn’t been approved like in GB.”
“SOP have been very efficient at sending out my medication and the response to questions or queries has been excellent.”
“I feel confident that Simple Online Pharmacy is a good company that monitors my usage.”
“I felt confident I was getting a genuine product via a professional channel”
"Happy with the service and don’t like face to face appointments”
“Efficiency for deliveries, questionnaire was comprehensive”
“It wasn’t intrusive. I was able to find out more about the treatment and I have been kept up to date”
“Easy to use, pharmacists check if something doesn’t seem right, I know I am safe”
“All of the information I needed was provided to me”
“I tried going through my GP but I had to attend weekly weight loss clinics which didn't fit in with my demanding work patterns”
“Need help for weight loss do not qualify for NHS so decided to go private”
“I know there was always a support if I needed to discuss any problems”
“I felt failed by the NHS and have really found it so helpful being able to get a supply of my weight loss injections that has been pivotal in helping me to lose weight”
“Would not consider another organisation. Feel supported and authentic products”
“Bought medication on line. Waiting NHS referral”
“I really felt like you cared about me and read the comments that I made on my consultation.”
“I just like the way it works with Simple. I have spoken to my GP and was referred to the Health & Wellbeing team, but it's not easy to get an appointment full stop with my surgery.”
“Simple Online Pharmacy is easy to use. Provides a friendly and informative help service when I needed to ask questions. They are efficient, and reply almost immediately to any query or question. The prices are low and very competitive. Speed of delivery is excellent and the way the medication is package and the included instructions are top class.”
“I just feel assured that i am being taken care of”
“Service was always easy and judgement free”
“Was impressed that a pharmacist called me to explain I had ordered the wrong dose and took care of reinstating the new order”

Paying privately for weight loss medication has further implications for patients. We asked respondents how much they agreed with the comment “Paying privately for this medication myself made me more committed to making long-term lifestyle changes”;

74% agreed with this
44% strongly agreed with this

We also asked patients whether or not taking medication had a lasting impact on healthy eating and improved physical activity. 87% agreed that they were more aware of what they eat, and 84% said that they had made lasting changes to their physical activity. This gives a strong indication that this medication, especially when there is a financial commitment from the patient can incentivise lasting lifestyle improvements.