Some Telehealth Prescribing of Anti-Obesity Drugs Raising Concerns

May 27, 2025

Patient safety concerns are being raised among primary care physicians about third-party telehealth prescribing of the GLP-1 weight loss medications, according to a recent survey.

The main concern is the potential risk to the patient’s health, as third-party entities often prescribe anti-obesity medications without the involvement of the patient’s primary care physician. While telehealth may make access to care and medications easier for patients, it also increases the risk of adverse outcomes – including the potential for overprescribing – without a proper review of a patient’s medical history and sufficient patient monitoring.

According to a KFF poll, about one in eight U.S. adults aged 18 years or older have reported using these medications. As prescriptions for GLP-1 medications are on the rise, it’s essential for healthcare professionals to understand the risks and side effects of these popular drugs. ISMIE offers an on-demand course with strategies for documenting conversations with patients around these anti-obesity medications:

Mitigating Patient Risk in the Era of Highly Effective Anti-obesity Medications

CME and a premium discount are available for eligible policyholders.

For more information, please contact the Risk Management Division by email.