Who regulates weight loss medicines in the UK
Five bodies shape how weight loss medicines reach people in the UK. Each has a separate job.
The MHRA licenses medicines and monitors safety. NICE decides what the NHS in England should offer. NHS England sets the rollout. The GPhC regulates pharmacies in Great Britain. The ASA regulates adverts.
Who does what
| MHRA | Licenses medicines and monitors safety | Decides whether a medicine can be sold in the UK. Runs the Yellow Card scheme | MHRA |
|---|---|---|---|
| NICE | Judges whether the NHS in England should pay | Sets who the NHS should offer a medicine to | NICE |
| NHS England | Plans and funds NHS services in England | Sets the order in which groups gain access | NHS England |
| Integrated care boards | Run local NHS services | Decide how services work in your area | NHS England |
| GPhC | Regulates pharmacies and pharmacy staff in Great Britain | Sets the rules online pharmacies must follow and keeps the public register | GPhC |
| ASA | Regulates advertising | Acts on adverts for prescription only medicines | ASA, MHRA and GPhC |
How a new medicine reaches you
- The MHRA licenses the medicine. From this point a private prescriber can prescribe within the licence.
- NICE evaluates. NICE weighs benefit against cost and says whether the NHS in England should offer the medicine, and to whom.
- The NHS plans the rollout. NHS England and local boards decide how and when groups gain access.
- Pharmacies supply. Registered pharmacies supply against a prescription, under GPhC rules.
Foundayo shows the order. The MHRA authorised the tablet on 10 August 2026, and said NHS use will follow an evaluation by NICE. Source: MHRA.
Northern Ireland
The Pharmaceutical Society of Northern Ireland keeps the pharmacy register there. Source: MHRA.
Questions
Who approves weight loss medicines in the UK?
The MHRA. NICE then decides whether the NHS in England should offer a medicine.
Who regulates online pharmacies?
The GPhC in England, Scotland and Wales. The Pharmaceutical Society of Northern Ireland covers Northern Ireland.
Who do I complain to about a pharmacy?
Start with the pharmacy. You can raise a concern with the GPhC about a registered pharmacy or a pharmacy professional.
Who do I tell about a side effect?
The MHRA, through the Yellow Card scheme.
Official sources
Every rule on this page comes from the sources below. GLP Index checked each one on 8 October 2026.
- Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency. GLP-1 medicines for weight loss and diabetes: what you need to know. First published 5 June 2025, updated 5 February 2026.
- National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. Tirzepatide for managing overweight and obesity (TA1026). Published December 2024.
- NHS England. Interim commissioning guidance: NICE TA1026 tirzepatide. Reviewed April 2026.
- NHS England. Weight management injections. Checked 8 October 2026.
- General Pharmaceutical Council. Providing weight management services: FAQs. Checked 8 October 2026.
- Advertising Standards Authority, MHRA and GPhC. Enforcement notice: advertising of prescription-only medicines used for weight management. 23 September 2025.
- Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency. UK first in Europe to authorise orforglipron for weight management and type 2 diabetes. 10 August 2026.
More on UK rules
- GLP-1 medicines in the UK: which are licensed for weight loss
- Who can get weight loss medicine in the UK
- Weight loss injections on the NHS: who qualifies and when
- Buying weight loss medicine online: the UK rules
- MHRA safety advice for weight loss medicines
- Why weight loss medicines are not advertised in the UK
- UK weight loss medicine timeline: every key decision
- NHS vs private: what weight loss medicine costs in the UK
- All UK rules pages