Why online pharmacies are the No1 choice for Mounjaro and Wegovy
Peter Paumgardhen | Last update: 22nd July 2025
If you are ordering your Mounjaro or Wegovy online, you are in the majority – and for good reason. What used to feel like a niche or even an awkward choice is now the mainstream route for people managing their health. With weight loss drugs changing lives across the UK, it is time to take a closer look at how people are accessing these treatments.
Online pharmacies are leading the way
Almost 80% of all private GLP-1 prescriptions in the UK are now supplied by online pharmacies according to data from IQVIA. And this isn’t a short term thing. It started with drugs like Viagra and is no passing trend. Weight loss drug sales, driven mainly by Mounjaro and Wegovy, are booming and growing fast and private prescriptions are up by nearly 2.5 times over the past year!
There are over 60 online pharmacies approved and regulated for providing prescriptions, including established providers like Pharmacy2U and newer names like Juniper, Numan, and Simple Pharmacy. This change is part of a big shift in healthcare because we expect easier and more straightforward access to treatments to fit our lives.
What’s the winning formula?
Convenience and privacy
Think about it. We’ve got used to ordering sexual health treatments, hair loss medications and even mental health services online. This is because these are personal things we naturally would like privacy. Dealing with weight management is no different is it? Many people prefer not to discuss their weight loss drug treatment at the pharmacy counter and ordering online removes that barrier for us.
It’s the modern way
Online pharmacies offer something that traditional pharmacies often cannot match: speed and simplicity. Online consultations are still regulated and they’re quick, prescriptions are filled without hassle and the treatments are delivered to our door. We want healthcare that fits into our life, not the other way around.
What about local pharmacies?
Community pharmacies remain the heart of medicine dispensing in the UK. In fact, they handle 90% of all medicines by volume. But when it comes to weight loss treatments, their role is much smaller. Most NHS prescriptions are dispensed by community pharmacies, but the NHS accounts for only a fraction of the total GLP-1 market today.
Some independent pharmacies do run private weight loss clinics, but these are the exception. The majority of private prescriptions, especially those where the pharmacy also handles consultations, are fulfilled by online providers.
SlimrChat’s take: why this makes sense for you
At SlimrChat we see first hand how online pharmacies have helped people start their weight loss journey in a way that feels comfortable and manageable. Our forums are full of stories about choosing the right provider, navigating side effects and celebrating weight loss milestones.
Choosing an online pharmacy isn’t something to feel awkward about. It’s practical and respectful of your privacy. And it’s often the easiest way to take that first step.
This is no different from how millions of people order repeat prescriptions, skin treatments or health checks online. It’s the solution we’ve all become used to.
The big picture: healthcare is changing
Last week we highlighted how 1.5 million people in the UK are now using GLP-1 weight loss drugs and that number is rising fast. This is a health movement reshaping obesity care and private online providers have been at the heart of it.
The NHS is starting to expand its role and more innovation is on the way. For now the private online route remains the fastest and most accessible option for most people.
Ready to share your story?
Have you used an online pharmacy for your weight loss treatment? What was your experience like? Join the conversation in the SlimrChat Forums and help others navigate their journey.