Finnish man obtains weight-loss drug prescription in five-minute online consultation

A 35-year-old Finnish man received a prescription for the popular weight-loss drug Ozempic after just a five-minute online chat with a doctor, an investigation by Yle MOT reveals. The case highlights concerns over the rapid growth of private telemedicine clinics issuing prescriptions for obesity medications without thorough patient evaluations.

The patient, identified only as Mika, obtained the prescription through Medilux, one of several private online clinics that have emerged in Finland to meet surging demand for weight-loss drugs. After filling out a preliminary questionnaire, Mika received the prescription within hours and administered the first dose the same day. “It was just a case of getting the prescription and picking it up from the pharmacy,” he said.

Finland saw a record 108,000 users of semaglutide—sold under brand names like Ozempic—last year, a 16-fold increase over five years, according to data from the Social Insurance Institution (Kela). Most patients, including Mika, pay out of pocket, as these newer obesity drugs do not yet qualify for state reimbursement.

Medical experts have raised alarms over the speed of such consultations. Kirsi Pietiläinen, a professor of clinical metabolism, told Yle MOT that prescribing obesity medication via chat should be prohibited. “I would advise patients to steer clear of chat-based doctors,” she said, emphasising that in-person examinations are essential to rule out conditions like heart disease, diabetes, or thyroid disorders—some of which she has diagnosed in patients seeking weight-loss drugs.

Rishat Jarullin, CEO of Medilux and a physician licensed in Finland since 2021, defended the practice, stating that patient records and self-reported information can suffice for an assessment. “These people have already tried everything—diets, exercise, natural products,” he said. Jarullin acknowledged that chat consultations are now “industry standard” among private clinics but maintained that referrals for further testing are made when necessary.

Ozempic and similar drugs can cause side effects ranging from nausea and diarrhoea to rare but severe complications like acute pancreatitis or a form of optic nerve damage. Mika, who has struggled with obesity since childhood, reported losing about five kilograms in two months on the medication. While he found the process “too easy,” he admitted his impatience drove the decision: “I’m the type who wants everything now.”

Finland’s regulations require doctors to either examine patients in person or otherwise ensure the appropriateness of drug therapy. Critics argue that five-minute consultations—whether by chat, phone, or video—fall short of this standard, risking patient safety in the rush to meet demand.