Glasgow-based digital pharmacy Phlo has launched a new app to help people using GLP-1 weight loss drugs better manage their treatment, as new data highlights widespread challenges with adherence.
The company’s new BrightTrack app is a free companion tool designed to help users track doses and monitor symptoms. It follows a survey of 1,000 UK users which found that 73% struggle to manage their treatment or understand their progress between appointments, while more than half (57%) have missed or delayed a dose.
The findings also point to a growing reliance on informal and often unreliable sources of support. Around 65% of users turn to social media for advice, with platforms such as YouTube, TikTok and online forums commonly used. Despite this, nine in ten respondents said they trust the information they find online — raising concerns among clinicians about misinformation, particularly around side effects and safe use.
Many patients are currently relying on fragmented methods to manage their treatment, including calendar reminders, phone alarms and handwritten notes. However, these approaches are proving insufficient, with some users even reporting they take doses based on how they feel rather than following clinical guidance.
BrightTrack has been developed alongside clinicians and specialist dietitians to address this gap, offering structured support between appointments. The app enables users to log doses, track symptoms and build a clearer picture of their progress over time, helping both patients and clinicians make more informed decisions.
Alistair Murray, pharmacist and chief operating officer at Phlo, said the goal is to improve day-to-day support as more people adopt GLP-1 treatments, giving users the tools to stay consistent, understand their progress and feel more confident managing their health.
The launch reflects both the rapid uptake of GLP-1 medications and the growing need for digital tools that support safe, informed and effective use — reinforcing Glasgow’s role in developing patient-centred health innovation.