The Eating Disorders Alliance is sounding the alarm over telehealth clinics, urging stricter regulations on GLP-1 RA medications. The group emphasizes the need for mandatory comprehensive medical assessments before prescribing these weight loss drugs, citing concerns about their impact on individuals with eating disorders. Australia's leading eating disorder advocacy organizations are particularly worried about the lack of oversight surrounding new-generation weight loss medicines, as evidenced by the Butterfly Foundation's rising number of concerned callers. The issue is exacerbated by the fact that many patients access these medications through online-only telehealth clinics like Juniper or Mosh, which operate outside the MBS and PBS, making it challenging to gather accurate data on the prescribed drugs, such as Ozempic (Novo Nordisk).
Clinical psychologist and director of the National Eating Disorder Collaboration, Dr. Sarah Trobe, highlights the dilemma: "The Butterfly Helpline is witnessing an increase in calls from both individuals with eating disorders and their families and caregivers, concerned about the use of GLP-1 medicines." However, she notes that patients with eating disorders may not disclose their condition due to their desire for medication access. The group's concerns stem from the inadequate regulation of these medications, which has been a long-standing issue.
A recent ABC report (https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-02-01/woman-hospitalised-telehealth-provider-weight-loss-drugs-juniper/106273356) shed light on a case where a woman with a history of disordered eating and mental health conditions accessed GLP-1 RAs through a telehealth service, leading to a relapse and subsequent hospital admission. The telehealth clinic in question was explicitly named as Eucalyptus, the parent company of Juniper. Eucalyptus' clinical director, Dr. Matt Vickers, assured patient safety, emphasizing extensive screening for disordered eating during intake and consultations, along with mandatory practitioner training and auditing.
However, Dr. Trobe raises a critical point: "Many large clinical trials exclude individuals with mental health conditions, making it challenging to understand the full impact of GLP-1 medications on those with severe depression or eating disorders." The Eating Disorders Alliance is calling for greater government scrutiny and regulations for doctors operating outside the MBS, as well as mandatory comprehensive medical assessments in telehealth settings for individuals seeking weight loss medications. Dr. Trobe emphasizes the importance of a thorough evaluation, stating, "You need to actually see who the person is and their weight, considering physical comorbidities, as that's what you're treating." She advocates for a multidisciplinary care team, including a dietitian and GP, with mental health support often being a crucial component.
