Evernu Weight Loss Prescription Process Explained

Why Do We Have an Approval Process?

Evernu is regulated by the Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority (RQIA) in Northern Ireland. As a registered online healthcare provider, we are held to the same clinical standards as any high-street pharmacy or GP surgery. That means we cannot, and would never want to, simply dispense medication to anyone who asks for it.

Our approval process exists for three reasons:

1. Patient safety: We need to confirm that you are who you say you are, that the medication is clinically appropriate for you, and that there are no contraindications or risks that would make treatment unsafe.
2. Regulatory compliance: UK healthcare regulations require that prescriptions are issued only after a genuine clinical assessment. Our prescribers are GMC-registered doctors who must satisfy themselves that treatment is in your best interest.
3. Treatment effectiveness: Prescribing without proper assessment leads to poor outcomes. By reviewing your medical history, body composition, and eligibility thoroughly, we can tailor treatment to give you the best possible results.

Step 1: Complete Your Medical Questionnaire

The process begins when you fill in a detailed medical questionnaire on our website. This is not a tick-box exercise; it is the foundation of your clinical assessment.

What we ask about:

• Your current height, weight, and body mass index (BMI)
• Any existing medical conditions, including diabetes, heart disease, thyroid disorders, eating disorders, and mental health conditions
• Medications you are currently taking, including over-the-counter supplements
• Any known allergies
• Previous experience with similar treatments
• Your date of birth (you must be aged 18 to 74)

For weight-loss treatments, your BMI must meet specific thresholds. If you have a weight-related health condition such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, or high cholesterol, the minimum BMI is 27. Otherwise, the minimum is 30. These thresholds follow NICE clinical guidelines and exist to ensure the medication is prescribed to patients who will benefit from it.

Tip: Answer every question honestly and completely. Withholding information does not speed up the process; it delays it, because our clinical team may need to come back to you for clarification. Worse, it could lead to a prescription that is not safe for you.

Step 2: Identity Verification

Once you have completed your questionnaire and payment authorisation, you will receive an email with a secure verification link. The first step on this page is identity verification.

We use an automated, bank-grade identity verification service. The process is straightforward:

1. Scan your ID: Use your phone camera to photograph your passport, driving licence, or national identity card. The system reads and verifies the document automatically.
2. Take a quick selfie: A short face-matching check confirms that the person holding the ID is the person on the document.

The entire process takes approximately two minutes. You will be redirected back to the Evernu verification page automatically once it is complete.

Why we do this: Identity verification is a legal requirement for online prescribing. It prevents prescription fraud, ensures your medical records are correctly attributed, and protects you from someone else ordering medication in your name.

What counts as valid ID:

• UK passport
• UK or EU/EEA driving licence
• National identity card (EU/EEA countries)

If you encounter any issues during verification, our support team can help. In some cases, a manual review may be required, which typically takes a few hours rather than the usual few seconds.

Step 3: Body Photo Submission

After your identity has been verified, the second part of the verification page unlocks: the body photo upload.

This step is important because it allows our prescribing clinician to visually assess your body composition as part of the remote consultation. It helps confirm that your stated height and weight are consistent with what we can see, and it is particularly important for weight-loss treatments where BMI eligibility must be verified.

What Makes a Good Body Photo?

Your photo does not need to be glamorous. It needs to be clear, current, and useful for clinical assessment. Here is what we need:

• Full body visible: Head to toe, standing upright. Do not crop at the knees or waist.
• Fitted clothing: Wear clothes that show your general body shape. A fitted t-shirt with leggings, joggers, or shorts works perfectly. You do not need to wear anything revealing.
• Good lighting: Natural daylight or a well-lit room. Avoid backlit silhouettes or dim lighting.
• Plain background: Stand against a wall or in a clear space. A cluttered background makes it harder for the clinician to assess your body shape.
• Front-facing: Face the camera straight on. We may request a side view if the front-facing photo does not provide enough clarity.
• Taken recently: The photo must be current. Do not reuse photos from previous providers or from months ago, even if your weight has not changed. Our clinicians need to see you as you are right now.

What Causes Photos to Be Rejected?

The most common reasons we ask patients to resubmit their body photo are:

• Baggy or oversized clothing: If we cannot see your body shape, we cannot assess your suitability. A hoodie or a loose dressing gown, for example, tells us very little.
• Photo is not full-length: Selfies taken in a mirror that cut off at the waist are not usable.
• Poor lighting or blurry image: If the photo is too dark, too bright, or out of focus, we will need a new one.
• Photo is clearly outdated: If we have evidence which suggests the photo was not taken recently, we will ask for a fresh one.

Having to resubmit adds unnecessary delay. Getting it right the first time means your application moves straight to clinician review.

What If My Photo Is Not Clear Enough?

If our clinical team is unable to make a confident assessment from your front-facing photo, we may request a side-view photo for additional context. If clarity remains insufficient from photos alone, we may offer a short video consultation as an alternative. This is a brief, clinical interaction focused on verifying your eligibility. It is not a lengthy appointment.

Step 4: Clinician Review

Once you have completed identity verification and uploaded your body photo, your application is passed to one of our prescribing clinicians. Every prescription at Evernu is reviewed and authorised by a GMC-registered doctor.

What the clinician reviews:

• Your complete medical questionnaire responses
• Your identity verification results
• Your body photo and stated BMI
• Any potential drug interactions or contraindications
• Whether the requested treatment is clinically appropriate and in your best interest

This is a genuine clinical assessment, not a rubber stamp. Our clinicians regularly decline applications where the evidence suggests that the treatment would not be safe or appropriate. This is not to be difficult; it is because we take our duty of care seriously.

How long does the review take? Most applications are reviewed within 24 to 48 hours. During busy periods, it may take a little longer. You will receive an email notification as soon as a decision has been made.

Step 5: What Happens After Approval

If your application is approved, the following happens:

1. Payment is captured: Your payment was authorised (but not charged) at checkout. Once approved, the payment is captured. No money leaves your account until a clinician has approved your prescription.
2. Prescription is issued: Your prescribing clinician issues an electronic prescription.
3. GP notification: As required by UK clinical governance standards, we notify your registered GP that you have commenced treatment through Evernu. This is standard practice for all private prescriptions and ensures your GP has a complete picture of your care.
4. Medication is dispatched: Your medication is dispatched via tracked delivery within 2 to 3 working days. You will receive tracking information by email.
5. Subscription begins: For ongoing treatments, your subscription starts from the approval date. You will receive regular medication deliveries and can manage your subscription through your Evernu account.

What If My Application Is Declined?

If our clinician determines that the treatment is not appropriate for you, you will receive a clear explanation of why. Common reasons for decline include:

• BMI below the minimum threshold for weight-loss medication
• A medical condition that makes the treatment unsafe (for example, a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma for GLP-1 medications)
• Current medications that would interact dangerously with the prescribed treatment
• Pregnancy or active planning for pregnancy
• Age outside the eligible range

If you are declined, you are not charged. The payment authorisation is released, and no money is taken from your account. We may suggest alternative treatments or recommend that you speak with your NHS GP about other options.

How to Speed Up the Approval Process

The approval process is designed to be as fast as possible without cutting clinical corners. Here is how to avoid unnecessary delays:

• Complete the questionnaire thoroughly: Missing information means our team has to follow up, which adds time.
• Have your ID ready: Make sure your passport or driving licence is to hand before you start the verification link.
• Follow the photo guidelines: A clear, full-body photo in fitted clothing, taken in good lighting, passes review first time in the vast majority of cases.
• Check your email: If we need additional information or a resubmission, we will contact you by email. Responding promptly keeps the process moving.
• Be honest: Overstating or understating your weight, concealing medical conditions, or using old photos does not help you. It either delays the process or, worse, leads to treatment that is not right for you.

Your Data Is Protected

We understand that submitting personal documents, medical information, and photographs requires trust. All data collected during the approval process is:

• Encrypted in transit and at rest using industry-standard encryption
• Stored securely in compliance with the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018
• Accessible only to authorised clinical staff for the purpose of your assessment and ongoing care
• Never shared with third parties for marketing or commercial purposes

Your identity verification is processed by a specialised, bank-grade verification partner. We do not store copies of your ID documents ourselves; verification results are returned to us as a pass or fail decision.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does the whole process take?

Most patients complete the questionnaire, verification, and photo upload within 10 to 15 minutes. The clinician review then takes 24 to 48 hours. From starting the questionnaire to receiving your medication, the typical timeline is 3 to 5 working days.

Do I need to have a video or phone consultation?

Not usually. The majority of applications are approved through the questionnaire and photo review alone. A video consultation is only offered as an alternative if your body photo does not provide sufficient clarity for the clinician to make a confident assessment.

Can I reuse photos from a previous provider?

No. We require a current photo taken specifically for your Evernu application. Even if your weight has not changed, our clinicians need a photo that reflects your current state. This is a clinical requirement, not an administrative one.

What should I wear for my body photo?

Fitted, everyday clothing that shows your general body shape. A fitted t-shirt or vest with leggings, fitted joggers, or shorts is ideal. You do not need to wear anything tight, uncomfortable, or revealing. The goal is simply for the clinician to be able to see your body shape clearly.

What if my identity verification fails?

Automated verification fails occasionally, usually due to glare on the ID document, poor camera quality, or a mismatch between the ID photo and the selfie (for example, if you have changed your appearance significantly since the photo was taken). You can retry the verification. If it fails repeatedly, contact our support team and we will arrange a manual review.

Will my GP be told about my treatment?

Yes. UK clinical governance requires that your registered GP is notified when you begin treatment through a private provider. This is standard practice across all legitimate online prescribers and ensures your GP has a complete record of your care. We send a formal notification letter to your GP surgery after your prescription is approved.

Is my payment taken before or after approval?

Your payment is authorised at checkout, which means we confirm that the funds are available, but the money is not actually taken from your account. The payment is only captured after a clinician has approved your prescription. If your application is declined, the authorisation is released and you are not charged.

Can I cancel after approval?

If your medication has not yet been dispatched, you may be able to cancel your order. Once the medication has been dispatched, it cannot be returned for safety reasons, as is standard for all prescription medicines in the UK. Contact our support team as soon as possible if you need to cancel.

Need Help?

If you have questions about the approval process or need assistance at any stage, our support team is here to help. You can reach us at support@evernu.co.uk. We aim to respond to all enquiries within one working day.