Jump to: Quick comparison | How each service works | Clinical evidence | Support and coaching | Medication options | Pricing | Who should choose each | Frequently asked questions | Take home message
LloydsPharmacy Online Doctor is a CQC-registered prescription service that provides weight-loss medications with doctor-led clinical oversight.
Second Nature is a dietitian-led weight management programme that combines medication with structured behaviour change support.
The key difference is what you receive alongside the medication. LloydsPharmacy provides a prescription, doctor-led consultations, and delivery with ongoing clinical monitoring.
Second Nature provides the same medications plus registered dietitian coaching, a structured behavioural programme, peer support groups, and a plan for maintaining results after medication.
LloydsPharmacy Online Doctor was the first online healthcare provider to register with the CQC, and carries the recognition of a well-known UK pharmacy brand. They have a 4.3/5 Trustpilot rating from over 16,000 reviews.
Second Nature has been NHS-commissioned since 2017 and has published 12-month outcomes in a peer-reviewed journal, with a 4.5/5 rating from over 7,800 reviews.1
Both are legitimate, regulated providers. The choice depends on whether you mainly need a trusted prescription service or whether you want structured support to change the habits that led to weight gain.
This guide was written by Second Nature, so it naturally reflects our perspective. We’ve aimed to present LloydsPharmacy’s strengths and limitations as fairly as possible.
Important safety information: Mounjaro (tirzepatide) and Wegovy (semaglutide) are prescription-only medications for managing obesity and overweight with weight-related conditions. This article is for informational purposes only. Always consult with your healthcare provider before starting any new medication or weight-loss programme.
LloydsPharmacy vs Second Nature: quick comparison
| Feature |
Second Nature |
LloydsPharmacy Online Doctor |
| Service type |
Structured weight management programme with medication |
Doctor-led online prescription service |
| NHS partnership |
✓ Commissioned across 43 ICBs and Health Boards since 2017 |
✗ No NHS weight management commissioning |
| Published clinical evidence |
✓ Peer-reviewed research in JMIR and BMJ1,2 |
✗ No published programme-specific outcomes |
| Primary support model |
Registered dietitians and nutritionists (HCPC/AfN), 5 days/week via in-app messaging |
Doctor-led consultations; clinical team responds same day (before 4 pm) |
| Behaviour change programme |
✓ COM-B model, 4-phase structured programme with daily content |
✗ No structured behaviour change programme (lifestyle advice articles available) |
| Peer support |
✓ Small in-app peer support groups |
✗ Not offered |
| Consultation format |
Online assessment + ongoing in-app coaching |
Online questionnaire + video ID/weight verification + clinician review |
| Medication options |
Mounjaro, Wegovy (including 7.2 mg) |
Mounjaro, Wegovy (including 7.2 mg), Saxenda, Orlistat/Xenical |
| Starting price |
From £149/month (Wegovy, all-inclusive) |
Pricing varies by dose (check website for current figures) |
| Regulatory status |
CQC-registered; GPhC-registered pharmacy partner (Blueco Healthcare) |
CQC-registered; GPhC-registered pharmacy |
| Trustpilot rating |
4.5/5 from 7,800+ reviews |
4.3/5 from 16,000+ reviews |
How each service works
LloydsPharmacy Online Doctor: doctor-led prescription service
LloydsPharmacy Online Doctor is a doctor-led online healthcare service and was the first of its kind to register with the CQC. It operates as part of Expert Health Limited, separate from the LloydsPharmacy high-street chain.
The process starts with an online consultation questionnaire covering your medical history and weight-loss goals.
You then upload a video showing your ID and weight on scales, which is a regulatory requirement for verifying eligibility for weight-loss medications.
A UK-registered clinician reviews your assessment. If treatment is approved, your medication is dispensed and delivered to your door. LloydsPharmacy states that their clinical team usually responds the same day for messages sent before 4 pm.
After starting, LloydsPharmacy sends a follow-up questionnaire around two weeks in, and email reminders when it’s time to reorder.
They also publish lifestyle advice articles covering healthy eating, exercise, and medication management.
LloydsPharmacy offers a wider range of weight-loss medications than most providers, including Mounjaro, Wegovy, Saxenda, and Orlistat/Xenical.
Second Nature: programme provider with medication
Second Nature pairs medication with a structured behaviour change programme. You’re assigned a registered dietitian or nutritionist available five days a week through in-app messaging and placed in a small peer support group.
The programme runs across four phases using the COM-B behaviour change model, covering nutrition (using a balanced plate model rather than calorie counting), physical activity, sleep, and the psychological aspects of eating behaviour. Daily educational content is delivered through the app.1
Everything is bundled into a single monthly fee: medication, delivery, coaching, app access, and peer support.
Clinical evidence
Second Nature
Second Nature has published programme-specific outcomes in peer-reviewed journals. Our 2025 study in JMIR Formative Research found1:
- 19.1% average weight loss at 12 months for active subscribers (around 20 kg)
- 77.7% achieved at least 10% weight loss
- 61.5% achieved at least 15% weight loss
- 69% reported no side effects by month 12
These are completer results, not intent-to-treat. An NHS evaluation in the BMJ also found Second Nature achieved substantially higher weight loss than four other providers in the National Diabetes Prevention Programme.2
LloydsPharmacy Online Doctor
LloydsPharmacy Online Doctor has not published programme-specific weight-loss outcomes in a peer-reviewed journal.
Their website references clinical trial data for the medications they prescribe (such as Wegovy’s 20.7% weight loss at the 7.2 mg dose and Mounjaro’s average of around 22.5% at the highest dose). These reflect the drugs’ efficacy in controlled trial settings, not outcomes from LloydsPharmacy’s specific service.
As a prescription service rather than a programme provider, this is standard. Most online pharmacies and prescription platforms don’t publish service-specific outcomes because their model focuses on medication access rather than structured intervention.
Support and coaching
This is the most significant difference between the two services.
Second Nature
Day-to-day support is provided by HCPC- or AfN-registered dietitians and nutritionists, available five days a week via in-app messaging. Coaches receive specific training in GLP-1 side-effect management. You’re placed in a small peer support group within the app.1
The programme delivers daily educational content covering nutrition, medication management, physical activity, sleep, and the psychological aspects of eating, including resources for emotional eating and stress.
The programme also includes structured guidance for maintaining weight loss if you decide to taper or stop medication. This matters because a 2022 study found that roughly two-thirds of people regain weight within a year of stopping semaglutide without structured support.3
LloydsPharmacy Online Doctor
LloydsPharmacy’s support model centres on clinical oversight of the prescription rather than behavioural coaching.
Their main support touchpoints are the initial clinician consultation, a follow-up questionnaire around two weeks after starting, email reorder reminders, and the ability to message their clinical team through your account.
LloydsPharmacy publishes lifestyle advice content covering topics like healthy eating, managing side effects, and switching between medications.
Their Chief Medical Officer, Dr Kieran Seyan, has spoken publicly about the importance of using GLP-1 medications responsibly alongside lifestyle changes.
LloydsPharmacy does not offer one-to-one dietitian coaching, peer support groups, or a structured behaviour change programme.
Their model is designed for people who want a trusted, doctor-led prescription service and are confident managing their own nutrition and lifestyle changes.
One genuine advantage of LloydsPharmacy is brand recognition and trust. As a well-known UK pharmacy name with CQC registration, some people may feel more comfortable using a familiar brand for their prescription, particularly those who are cautious about newer online providers.
Medication options
LloydsPharmacy offers a wider range of weight-loss medications than Second Nature:
- Mounjaro (tirzepatide): Available from both providers
- Wegovy (semaglutide): Available from both providers, including 7.2 mg
- Saxenda (liraglutide): Available from LloydsPharmacy only
- Orlistat/Xenical: Available from LloydsPharmacy only
Both providers offer Wegovy 7.2 mg, the higher dose approved by the MHRA in January 2026.4 The STEP UP trial published in The Lancet Diabetes and Endocrinology found that this dose achieved an average weight loss of 20.7% at 72 weeks among adherent participants.5
LloydsPharmacy requires a video showing your ID and weight on scales as part of the consultation process. This is a regulatory safety measure that some reviews describe as thorough and reassuring, while others find it inconvenient.
Pricing
Pricing changes frequently in this market, so check each provider’s website for the most current figures.
LloydsPharmacy Online Doctor
LloydsPharmacy does not clearly publish per-dose pricing on its website, as some competitors do.
Pricing varies by medication and dose, and you’ll see the cost during the consultation process. They occasionally offer introductory discounts for new patients (such as £40 off the first order).
LloydsPharmacy’s pricing covers the medication, clinician consultation, and delivery. It does not include dietitian coaching, a structured programme, or peer support.
Second Nature
Second Nature charges an all-inclusive monthly fee covering medication, delivery, dietitian coaching, app access, and peer support:
- Wegovy programme: £99–£249 per month depending on dose
- Mounjaro programme: pricing available on the Second Nature website
- Non-medication programme: from £33/month
Any price difference between the two services reflects the difference in what’s included. LloydsPharmacy provides a prescription with doctor-led oversight. Second Nature’s price includes the prescription plus dietitian coaching, a structured programme, peer support groups, and daily app content.
Who should choose each?
LloydsPharmacy may suit you if:
- You want a well-known, CQC-registered brand for your prescription
- You’re comfortable managing your own diet and lifestyle changes
- You prefer a doctor-led service rather than dietitian-led coaching
- You want a wider choice of medications (including Saxenda and Orlistat)
- You value the reassurance of a familiar UK pharmacy name
Second Nature may suit you if:
- You want dietitian-led coaching alongside your medication from day one
- Published, peer-reviewed clinical outcomes are important to you
- You want a structured behaviour change programme, not just a prescription
- You value in-app peer support from others at a similar stage
- You want a provider with current NHS weight management partnerships and a long track record
- You want the option of a non-medication programme (from £33/month)
Frequently asked questions
Is LloydsPharmacy or Second Nature more effective for weight loss?
Second Nature has published peer-reviewed research showing 19.1% average weight loss at 12 months with semaglutide and dietitian-led support.1
LloydsPharmacy has not published comparable data. Both providers prescribe the same core medications, so any difference in outcomes is likely due to the support provided alongside medication.
Is LloydsPharmacy Online Doctor the same as LloydsPharmacy?
They are related but separate services. LloydsPharmacy Online Doctor operates as part of Expert Health Limited and provides online consultations and prescriptions. It’s separate from the LloydsPharmacy high-street pharmacy chain, which has over 1,500 branches across the UK.
The weight-loss prescription service is run through the Online Doctor platform, not through the high-street pharmacies.
Does LloydsPharmacy have NHS approval for weight management?
No. LloydsPharmacy Online Doctor is a private service. Second Nature has been commissioned by the NHS since 2017, currently across 43 ICBs and Health Boards for weight management and type 2 diabetes prevention.2
Why does LloydsPharmacy require a video during the consultation?
LloydsPharmacy requires you to upload a video showing your ID and weight on scales. This is a regulatory safety measure to verify your identity and confirm you meet the BMI eligibility criteria for weight-loss medications.
Updated GPhC guidance from 2025 requires prescribers to independently verify patient information rather than relying solely on questionnaires.
Does LloydsPharmacy offer any behavioural support?
LloydsPharmacy provides follow-up questionnaires, email reorder reminders, and publishes lifestyle advice articles on their website covering healthy eating, exercise, and medication management.
They do not offer one-to-one dietitian coaching, peer support groups, or a structured behaviour change programme. Their model is primarily a prescription service with clinical monitoring.
Can I get Wegovy 7.2 mg from both providers?
Yes. Both offer the 7.2 mg dose, approved by the MHRA in January 2026.4 This dose is for patients who have been stable on 2.4 mg for at least four weeks and need further weight loss.
What medications does LloydsPharmacy offer that Second Nature doesn’t?
LloydsPharmacy offers Saxenda (liraglutide) and Orlistat/Xenical in addition to Mounjaro and Wegovy. Second Nature currently offers Mounjaro and Wegovy only.
Saxenda is an older GLP-1 medication with lower average weight loss (around 10%) compared to Mounjaro and Wegovy. Orlistat works differently, blocking fat absorption rather than acting on appetite.
Can I switch from LloydsPharmacy to Second Nature?
Yes. You can switch providers, though you’ll need a new clinical assessment. If you’re already on a stable dose, you won’t necessarily need to restart from the lowest dose. Second Nature can advise on the process.
What happens when I stop taking medication?
Second Nature builds transition support into its programme, with your dietitian guiding you through reducing or stopping medication. Second Nature also offers a non-medication programme for continued support at £33/month.
LloydsPharmacy does not publicly detail a specific transition or aftercare programme for people stopping medication.
Research shows that around two-thirds of people regain weight within a year of stopping semaglutide without ongoing behavioural support.3
How do the Trustpilot reviews compare?
LloydsPharmacy has two separate Trustpilot profiles, which is worth knowing when researching them. The Online Doctor service (onlinedoctor.lloydspharmacy.com) has a 4.3/5 rating from over 16,000 reviews.
The high-street pharmacy chain (lloydspharmacy.com) has a 3.1/5 rating from over 45,000 reviews, with a significant proportion of 1-star reviews.
The weight-loss prescription service runs through the Online Doctor platform, so the 4.3/5 rating is more directly relevant. Still, the high-street rating may reflect the broader customer service experience for people who interact with both.
Second Nature has a 4.5/5 rating from over 7,800 reviews.
It’s worth reading recent reviews on both LloydsPharmacy profiles and Second Nature to get a feel for the experiences that matter most to you.
Take home message
LloydsPharmacy Online Doctor and Second Nature serve different needs. LloydsPharmacy offers a doctor-led prescription service backed by a well-known UK pharmacy brand, CQC registration, a wider range of medications, and a straightforward consultation process.
Second Nature combines medication with dietitian-led coaching, a four-phase behaviour change programme, peer support, and published clinical outcomes.
If you want a trusted prescription service with doctor-led oversight and you’re confident managing lifestyle changes independently, LloydsPharmacy is a well-established option.
If you want a structured programme with published outcomes and professional coaching alongside your medication, Second Nature is built for that.
Second Nature's Mounjaro and Wegovy programmes
Second Nature provides Mounjaro or Wegovy as part of our Mounjaro and Wegovy weight-loss programmes.
Why choose Second Nature over other medication providers, assuming you're eligible?
Because peace of mind matters.
We've had the privilege of working with the NHS for over eight years, helping people across the UK take meaningful steps toward a healthier, happier life.
Our programmes are designed to meet people where they are, whether that means support with weight loss through compassionate one-to-one health coaching, or access to the latest weight-loss medications (like Mounjaro and Wegovy) delivered alongside expert care from a multidisciplinary team of doctors, psychologists, dietitians, and personal trainers.
At the heart of everything we do is a simple belief: real, lasting change comes from building better habits, not relying on quick fixes. We're here to support that change every step of the way.
With over a decade of experience, thousands of lives changed, and a long-standing record of delivering programmes used by the NHS, we believe we're the UK's most trusted weight-loss programme.
We hope to offer you something invaluable: peace of mind, and the support you need to take that first step.
References
- Richards, R., et al. (2025). A Remotely Delivered, Semaglutide-Supported Weight Management Program: 12-Month Outcomes. JMIR Formative Research, 9(1), e72577.
- Ross, J.A.D., et al. (2022). Uptake and impact of the English National Health Service digital diabetes prevention programme. BMJ Open Diabetes Research and Care, 10(3), e002736.
- Wilding, J.P.H., et al. (2022). Weight regain and cardiometabolic effects after withdrawal of semaglutide. Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism, 24(8), 1553-1564.
- Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency. (2026). Medicines regulator approves up to 7.2 mg dose of semaglutide (Wegovy) for patients with obesity only.
- Rubino, D.M., et al. (2025). Once-weekly semaglutide 7.2 mg in adults with overweight or obesity: the STEP UP randomised clinical trial. The Lancet Diabetes and Endocrinology.
