At-a-glance comparison
| Feature |
Assured Pharmacy |
Second Nature |
| Core Approach |
Medication-first with clinical oversight |
Psychology-based habit formation alongside medication |
| Regulatory Status |
GPhC-licensed pharmacy, MHRA-regulated |
NHS-commissioned since 2017, used by over 250,000 patients |
| Medication Options |
Mounjaro and Wegovy |
Mounjaro and Wegovy |
| Professional Support |
Prescriber check-ins, medical monitoring |
UK-registered dietitians and nutritionists 5 days/week |
| Onboarding Process |
Medical questionnaire, 15-min consultation, ID verification |
Health quiz, coach introduction, app setup |
| Digital Tools |
Basic medication management |
Custom-built app with tracking, recipes, and education |
| Customer Reviews |
4.4-4.5/5 from ~15,000 Trustpilot reviews |
4.6/5 from 7,600 Trustpilot reviews |
| Monthly Cost |
From £37.50/week (medication-only) |
Wegovy: £149-£249 (£50 off first month, all-inclusive) |
| Post-medication Support |
Limited |
Ongoing support to come off the medication slowly |
Core approach differences
Understanding the fundamental philosophy behind each service helps determine which aligns with your personal weight loss journey.
Assured Pharmacy: Medication-driven weight loss
Assured Pharmacy offers a straightforward medication-first approach:
- Focus on providing regulated weight-loss medications
- Strong emphasis on medical screening and eligibility
- Digital questionnaire followed by clinical consultation
- Monthly weight monitoring and 3-6 month check-ins
- Basic lifestyle advice alongside medication
- Ongoing prescriber oversight for safety
Their model is built around providing pharmaceutical intervention for obesity with the necessary medical safeguards.
The process is designed to be efficient, with customers completing an online assessment, having a brief consultation, and receiving medication within days if approved.
This approach works well for those seeking primarily pharmaceutical solutions who may already have a good understanding of the lifestyle changes needed to support their weight loss.
Second Nature: Building habits alongside medication
At Second Nature, our programme is built on a foundation of behavioural science, developed through years of working in the NHS:
- Weight-loss medication integrated with habit formation
- Psychology-based approach to changing eating patterns
- Structured curriculum on nutrition, activity, sleep, and stress
- Daily educational content and weekly goals
- Small group support with peers on similar journeys
- Regular coaching from qualified health professionals
We view medication as a valuable tool that works best when combined with sustainable lifestyle changes.
Our programme helps you understand the complex link between biology, psychology, and the environment that influences eating patterns and weight.
This comprehensive approach addresses not just what you eat, but why you eat, helping create lasting behaviour change that supports maintenance after medication.
Support and professional guidance
The level of support available can significantly impact your medication experience and long-term outcomes.
Assured Pharmacy: Clinical oversight model
Assured Pharmacy provides:
- UK-registered clinicians available for consultation
- Initial 15-minute phone/video clinical assessment
- Monthly weight tracking requirement
- 3-6 monthly medical check-ins
- Support via phone, email, and live chat
- Focus on medication management and safety
Their support primarily addresses medication safety, side effects, and dosage adjustments. While this ensures medical appropriateness, the approach is less focused on comprehensive lifestyle change.
According to customer reviews, the quality of support can vary; many praise the responsive service, while others report occasional communication challenges, particularly during busy periods or when faced with medication shortages.
Second Nature: Comprehensive coaching
Our support model includes:
- UK-registered dietitians and nutritionists available 5 days/week
- Both private and group chat support
- Specific training in GLP-1 medication management
- Support addressing psychological aspects of eating
- Community of peers facing similar challenges
- Post-medication transition planning
This multifaceted support helps you navigate both the physical side effects of medication and the psychological challenges of changing your relationship with food.
Our health coaches provide personalised advice on managing side effects, adjusting your eating patterns as appetite changes, and building habits that support your weight loss long after medication ends.
Cost vs value analysis
Understanding the full financial picture helps you determine which option provides better value for your specific needs.
Comprehensive pricing overview
Assured Pharmacy costs:
- Starting from £37.50 per week (approximately £150-£165 monthly)
- Pricing varies by medication and dosage
- Includes medication, delivery, and basic clinical oversight
- Additional consultation fees may apply in some cases
Second Nature with Wegovy:
- £149-£249 monthly (£50 off first month)
- All-inclusive fee covers medication, coaching, and app access
- No hidden costs or additional fees
- Includes a comprehensive lifestyle programme
Value considerations beyond price
When assessing value, consider what each programme provides beyond just medication:
Assured Pharmacy’s value proposition:
- Direct access to regulated medications
- Streamlined process for busy professionals
- Minimal time commitment required
- Medical oversight focused on safety
- Flexibility to manage your own lifestyle changes
Second Nature’s value proposition:
- Guaranteed ongoing treatment with GLP-1 medications like Mounjaro
- Structured programme addressing underlying habits
- Professional nutrition and psychology guidance
- Community support from peers and coaches
- Digital tools that simplify healthy eating
- Development of skills that last beyond medication
The best value depends on your individual needs. If you already have a strong understanding of nutrition and habit change, Assured Pharmacy might provide sufficient support. If you want comprehensive guidance on building sustainable habits, Second Nature’s all-inclusive approach may offer better long-term value.
Customer experience reality
Real user feedback provides important insights into what you can expect from each service.
Assured Pharmacy user experiences
With approximately 15,000 Trustpilot reviews and a 4.4-4.5 star rating, Assured Pharmacy receives generally positive feedback, though with some notable inconsistencies:
Positive themes:
- Fast, efficient delivery with next-day shipping
- Professional staff knowledge about medications
- Convenient digital-only approach
- Prioritisation of existing customers during shortages
Challenging areas:
- Occasional delays with refunds if medically declined
- Communication gaps during busy periods
- Some users report difficulty reaching support
- Mixed experiences with consultation scheduling
- Some frustration from users with diabetes being declined
According to online forums, users appreciate the straightforward medication access but sometimes struggle with the administrative aspects of the service.
Second Nature user experiences
With over 7,600 Trustpilot reviews and a 4.6-star rating, Second Nature feedback highlights:
Positive themes:
- Supportive, knowledgeable health coaches
- Sustainable approach to weight loss
- Community support from peer groups
- Effective habit-building tools
- Personalised advice for individual challenges
Challenging areas:
- Some users want more frequent coach interaction
- Initial learning curve with the app
- Programme requires time commitment for best results
The most consistent praise comes for our health coaches and the sustainable nature of the weight loss achieved, with many users reporting continued success even after completing the programme.
This comprehensive approach is reflected in member testimonials. As one Second Nature participant shared:
“Having carried out lots of research, I opted to do my medicated weight loss program with Second Nature. Each day there is information to listen to or read (whichever is your preference) to educate you on food, eating right, being healthy … to retrain and learn how to make the right choices once a healthy weight is reached.
The support of my coach Monet has been so useful, in motivating me to eat enough protein, to exercise, to query my past and present food choices.
These support mechanisms, the medication itself, and the support of my group (sharing our experiences on the journey) are empowering me to know that this time my yo-yo dieting past is behind me and a healthier me is already emerging. Thank you Second Nature!”
This firsthand experience highlights how the combination of daily education, coach support, and group community creates a framework for sustainable change beyond medication alone.
Safety and ethical considerations
Weight loss medications require appropriate medical oversight and ethical prescribing practices.
Assured Pharmacy safety approach
As a regulated pharmacy, Assured Pharmacy emphasises:
- Full licensing by UK regulatory bodies (GPhC, MHRA)
- Authentic UK medications only
- Structured eligibility screening
- Regular safety monitoring
- Consideration of contraindications and health history
- Option to decline patients for medical safety
Their focus is on regulatory compliance and medical appropriateness, with systems designed to prevent inappropriate prescribing.
Second Nature safety framework
Our safety approach combines medical oversight with holistic wellbeing:
- NHS-developed protocols for medication management
- Regular check-ins with qualified health professionals
- Monitoring beyond just weight (mood, energy, side effects)
- Support for managing medication side effects
- Gradual, sustainable weight loss targets
- Education on nutritional adequacy during reduced appetite
We believe ethical weight management requires addressing both physical and psychological health, with medication prescribed as part of a comprehensive plan rather than a standalone solution.
Long-term success factors
Research consistently shows that maintaining weight loss is more challenging than achieving it initially.
Assured Pharmacy’s approach to maintenance
Assured Pharmacy focuses primarily on the medication phase, with:
- Ongoing medication access while clinically appropriate
- Basic advice on diet and exercise
- Regular weight monitoring
- Minimal structured support for post-medication transition
- Self-directed approach to habit formation
Their model works best for individuals who have already developed sustainable habits or have external support systems for lifestyle change.
Second Nature’s sustainability focus
Our programme is explicitly designed with long-term success in mind:
- Skills development from day one of medication
- Focus on psychological aspects of eating behaviours
- Habits that support weight maintenance after medication
- Gradual transitions rather than abrupt changes
- Community support during challenging periods
- Specific strategies for maintaining results post-medication
We’ve found that users who develop these foundational habits while on medication have significantly better long-term outcomes than those who rely solely on medication effects.
Who should choose each option
Both services have their strengths, but they’re designed for different types of users.
Assured Pharmacy might be right for you if:
- You primarily want efficient access to weight-loss medication
- You already understand nutrition and habit change principles
- You prefer minimal programme structure
- You want a straightforward, clinical approach
- You’re comfortable managing lifestyle changes independently
- You value speed and convenience above comprehensive support
Second Nature might be right for you if:
- You want support building lasting habits alongside medication
- You’ve struggled with maintaining weight loss in the past
- You value regular access to nutrition professionals
- You benefit from community support and accountability
- You’re looking to address the psychological aspects of eating
- You want a structured approach to post-medication transition
The right choice depends on your personal needs, previous weight loss experiences, and the level of support you feel would benefit you most.
Take home message
Weight-loss medications can support significant weight loss, but their long-term effectiveness depends largely on how they’re integrated into your overall approach to health.
Assured Pharmacy offers a medication-first model with necessary clinical oversight, suited to those who want efficient access to pharmaceutical interventions with minimal programme structure.
Second Nature offers a comprehensive approach that combines medication with habit formation, professional support, and community, designed for individuals seeking a sustainable lifestyle change alongside medical treatment.
Your choice should reflect not just your immediate weight loss goals, but also your preferences for support, your past experiences with weight management, and your vision for long-term health.
Both services provide access to effective medications, but they offer fundamentally different journeys to weight loss success.
The right option is the one that aligns with your personal needs and provides the foundation for lasting results.
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.
