UK prescription-only medicines (POM)
A 'prescription-only medicine' is supplied only against a valid prescription from a registered UK prescriber, and dispensed by a regulated UK pharmacy. This page explains what that means in practice for peptide medicines such as semaglutide, tirzepatide, and liraglutide.
What “UK POM” means
A UK prescription-only medicine has a marketing authorisation that permits supply only against a prescription written by a person legally entitled to prescribe. GLP-1 weight-loss medicines such as semaglutide (Wegovy, Ozempic), tirzepatide (Mounjaro), and liraglutide (Saxenda) are POM when used as medicines. So are many other peptide hormones — including teriparatide, pramlintide, and similar.
The lawful UK access route
- Consultation with a registered prescriber — an NHS GP, NHS specialist, or a private prescriber appropriately registered in the UK. The consultation should include a clinical history, contraindications check, and informed consent.
- Valid prescription — issued for a defined indication, at a defined strength, for a defined patient.
- Dispensing by a regulated UK pharmacy — listed on the GPhC (in England, Scotland, Wales) or the PSNI (Northern Ireland) register.
- Genuine packaging and PIL — UK marketing authorisation holder details, batch number, expiry date, Patient Information Leaflet, and a pharmacy label.
- Ongoing clinical contact — review intervals, side-effect monitoring, and a route for reporting suspected side effects (MHRA Yellow Card).
What this is not
- It is not a 60-second tick-box online questionnaire on a website that ships product the same day.
- It is not a Telegram or Instagram seller offering “pens, no prescription, fast delivery.”
- It is not personal import of an unlicensed equivalent.
- It is not a clinic providing “research peptide” versions of POM medicines as a workaround.
Why this matters for safety
The POM framework is not paperwork for its own sake. It is the part of the system that ensures someone has confirmed identity and provenance of the medicine, performed a clinical assessment, set a starting dose appropriate to the patient, and can intervene if side effects appear. Bypassing it shifts every one of those responsibilities onto someone who is not equipped to carry them.
Red flags a supply route is not actually POM-compliant
If you see wording like this on a seller, clinic, or social-media advert, treat it as a warning sign rather than a benefit.
“No prescription required — fully legal”
Cannot be true for UK POMs. A seller making both claims is misrepresenting either the law or the product.
“We use a partner prescriber abroad”
Cross-border prescribing has specific rules. Watch for arrangements that rely on a foreign prescriber issuing UK supply without proper accountability.
“Compounded version of [brand]”
UK compounding is heavily restricted and is not a workaround for unlicensed peptide supply. Many 'compounded GLP-1' offers are unregulated mixes from unverified sources.
“Same active ingredient, no licence needed”
Active ingredient alone does not change the medicine's regulatory status. An identical molecule supplied without authorisation is still unauthorised supply.
Questions to ask a qualified clinician
These are starter questions you can adapt for a GP, specialist, pharmacist, or anti-doping advisor. The aim is to help you have a better-informed conversation — not to replace one.
- Is this medicine a UK prescription-only medicine?
- Is the indication you are prescribing for licensed, off-label, or unlicensed?
- What contraindications and red flags would mean we should stop?
- What is the side-effect monitoring plan and how do I contact you between reviews?
- How should I store the product, and how do I confirm it's genuine?
- If I notice a suspected side effect, do I report it to you, NHS 111, or the Yellow Card scheme?
- Are there licensed alternatives that should be tried first?