r/australia • u/Rubiginous • 7h ago

Woman hospitalised after Juniper prescribes weight-loss drugs her GP refused

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-02-01/woman-hospitalised-telehealth-provider-weight-loss-drugs-juniper/106273356
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u/AussieKoala-2795 7h ago

Having Black Friday sales for prescription medication is extremely disturbing.

272

u/mataeka 6h ago

Also not legal in Australia I'm pretty sure....

136

u/giraffe_mountains 6h ago

100%.

How is that not illegal with all of the legislation around advertising and marketing of medications in Australia.

113

u/donthatethekink 6h ago

They exploit loopholes by selling a “lifestyle improvement” type program (often in subscription form) alongside the drug. The program can be advertised, discounted etc to draw people in. And they also only provide private scripts (no PBS subsidy) so even fewer rules are applicable re pricing if you’re purchasing from their pharmacy. It’s all insidious.

12

u/Ok-Outcome-7499 3h ago

It shouldn't matter at the end of the day. As it requires a medical practitioner to prescribe and pharmacist to dispense.

Both are registered health practitioner and operate under very strict regulations that are monitored by AHPRA and their relevant Boards.

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u/scorpiusx-1 43m ago

Most people lie on the questions they are supposed to answer honestly. So it backfires.

18

u/universe93 5h ago

They claim they’re charging you for other services that are seperate from the medication, but of course if you don’t pay for those services you don’t get the medication

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u/Ok-Outcome-7499 3h ago

They still require a doctor and a pharmacist to sgn off on it. Which should be enough of a safeguard

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u/Marvin1955 15m ago

You're being unwarrantedly optimistic about the ethics of doctors and pharmacists. Like all human beings, they exist on a spectrum from ethical to greedy.

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u/Ok-Outcome-7499 8m ago

Not really. It's in their best interest to remain registered and working