Identity, weight and BMI checks for online weight-loss treatment follow each pharmacy’s own process. Ask the new pharmacy how its checks work and use its official method. Give your real current weight, even if your weight has fallen since you started. A verified BMI does not mean the prescriber will approve treatment.
Why pharmacies check your weight, height and BMI
Expect a weight or BMI check at each new pharmacy. GPhC guidance for pharmacist prescribers calls for an independent check of weight, height and/or BMI before a weight-loss medicine is prescribed. An online form alone may not be enough, so the pharmacy can ask for more. The exact method depends on the pharmacy and your situation.
Ask what the pharmacy needs before you take your own photos or videos. A general photo may not meet its instructions. If you plan to switch pharmacy every month, keep your ID and measurements ready so each check goes quickly.
How to prepare for ID, weight and BMI checks
- ID documents: check which ones the pharmacy accepts and whether alternatives exist.
- Check method: ask whether you need an appointment, a video check or another method.
- Current figures: give your real current measurements wherever a form asks for them.
- Starting figures: if you are already on treatment, give your starting measurements separately.
- Mismatched records: ask how to fix a changed surname, old address or other mismatch.
If you have no passport or driving licence, contact the pharmacy before you pay. One pharmacy’s alternative ID process may not apply anywhere else.
Accessible alternatives to video and photo checks
Tell the team if a disability, a tech problem, a language need or missing equipment makes the check hard. Ask what other option they offer. Never edit a video or photo to fake a required check.
Before you send an ID document, confirm which organisation receives the document and why. Start from your official account. Never use a link in a message you did not expect.
Does a verified BMI mean you will get treatment?
No. The prescriber (the doctor, nurse or pharmacist who approves your medicine) still looks at the rest of your consultation. A BMI result alone does not prove you qualify for every medicine, NHS service or private service. If your weight has fallen during treatment, explain the change. Never hide the figure.
Frequently asked questions
Why does an online pharmacy need to verify my weight and BMI?
GPhC guidance for pharmacist prescribers calls for an independent check of weight, height and/or BMI before a weight-loss medicine is prescribed. An online form alone may not be enough, so the pharmacy can ask for extra evidence.
What if I do not have a passport or driving licence for an online weight-loss check?
Contact the pharmacy before you pay. Ask which ID documents it accepts and whether an alternative exists. One pharmacy’s alternative ID process may not apply at another.
Should I give my starting weight or current weight when I switch pharmacy?
Give your real current measurements wherever a form asks for current figures. If you are already on treatment, give your starting measurements separately. If your weight has fallen during treatment, explain the change and never hide the figure.
Does a verified BMI guarantee I will be prescribed weight-loss treatment?
No. A verified BMI does not prove you qualify for every medicine, NHS service or private service. The prescriber still looks at the rest of your consultation before deciding.
Sources
Links checked on 6 October 2026. Provider prices and policies change, so confirm the details with the provider before you pay. The organisations linked here have not reviewed or endorsed this guide.
- GPhC: guidance for pharmacist prescribers, April 2025
- GPhC: weight-management inspections and concerns, April 2026
Pharmacy Hopper does not give medical advice. Read our editorial standards.