Introduction 

This consent form outlines the terms and conditions under which Pontis Medical Limited will provide Pontis Fit services. By signing this form, you confirm that you have read, understood, and agreed to the information provided, including the independent contractor status of doctors, jurisdictional limitations for disputes, and other terms regarding your care. 

 

Scope of Services 

• Pontis Medical Limited (“Pontis”) offers Pontis Fit, a service which provides telehealth consultations with General Practitioners (“Doctors”) to adult customers (“Patients”) that are physically located onboard participating cruise ships at the time of the consultation. Patients must be over 18 years old at the time of the consultation. 

• Pontis Fit engages Doctors to provide telehealth consultations specifically to determine the suitability of individual Patients for therapy with GLP-1 agonists (such as Ozempic, Mounjaro, etc.) specifically for the purpose of losing weight.  

 

• Pontis Fit prohibits Doctors from prescribing any other class of medications when providing the Pontis Fit service.  

 

• Prescribing GLP-1 agonists solely for the management of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus is outside the scope of this service because Pontis Fit does not have the means to obtain blood analyses such as HbA1c, fasting glucose and kidney function through telehealth consultations. 

 

Independent Contractor Status and Jurisdictional Limitations 

1. Independent Contractor Relationship:

Pontis Medical Limited provides telehealth services through licensed, board-certified doctors who act as independent contractors. These doctors are not employees, agents, or representatives of Pontis Medical Limited but are contracted to provide professional medical services.   

 

2. Jurisdiction for Litigation Against Pontis Medical Limited:

   Any disputes, claims, or controversies arising directly against Pontis Medical Limited, including but not limited to those regarding organizational negligence or service delivery, must be brought exclusively in the courts of Gibraltar and will be governed by the laws of Gibraltar.   

 

3. Jurisdiction for Litigation Against Doctors:  

   Any disputes, claims, or controversies arising directly against a doctor providing services through Pontis Medical Limited, including but not limited to malpractice or professional negligence, must be filed in the country of residence of the doctor. Information regarding the doctor’s country of residence will be disclosed upon written request if required for legal purposes.   

 

4. Acknowledgment of Separate Liabilities:  

   By signing this consent form, you acknowledge and agree that Pontis Medical Limited is not liable for the personal actions, omissions, or professional judgments of its independent contractor doctors. Any legal action must be directed to the appropriate party and jurisdiction as specified above.   

 

Availability of Pontis Fit Services 

• Pontis Fit services are exclusively available to patients while they are onboard participating cruise ships. Access to these services is strictly limited to the duration of the cruise, and patients will not be able access Pontis Fit telehealth consultations or fill prescriptions issued through Pontis Fit once they have disembarked. It is the patient’s responsibility to ensure that prescriptions issued through Pontis Fit are filled by attending the ship’s medical center. Prescriptions issued through Pontis Fit cannot be filled by pharmacies ashore. 

 

• GLP-1 agonists come in several brands and in two forms: oral and injectable. The onboard availability of each brand and form of medication at the time of consultation may be the factor that determines which brand and form of medication is prescribed. Pontis makes no guarantee about which brands and forms of the GLP-1 agonist medications will be in stock onboard the cruise ship you are sailing on at the time of consultation. 

 

Advisory on the Possible Side Effects of GLP-1 Agonists 

Patients who have consulted with Pontis Fit are advised to seek immediate medical attention if they experience any adverse reactions to prescribed GLP-1 agonists. 

• Common mild side effects may include: 

• Nausea 

• Diarrhea 

• Vomiting 

These side effects often diminish over time as the body adjusts to the medication. 

 

• Serious side effects (though rare) may include: 

• Severe abdominal pain (potential symptoms of pancreatitis) 

• Persistent vomiting or nausea 

• Significant changes in vision 

• Signs of an allergic reaction, such as rash, itching, swelling, severe dizziness, or difficulty breathing 

If any of these serious side effects occur, patients must immediately seek medical care. 

 

Importance of Follow-Up with Your General Practitioner 

• Patients who use Pontis Fit services and begin treatment with prescribed GLP-1 agonists, are strongly advised to follow up with their General Practitioner (GP) or primary healthcare provider within two weeks of disembarking the cruise ship. Weight loss and metabolic changes resulting from these medications can impact other medications patients may be taking, including those for diabetes, hypertension, and other chronic conditions. 

• It is essential for patients to discuss their current medication regimen with their GP, as dosages of certain medications may need to be adjusted or discontinued based on their weight loss progress and improved metabolic health. Failing to do so may result in adverse effects, such as hypoglycemia, blood pressure fluctuations, or other complications related to inappropriate medication dosing. 

• Pontis Fit doctors do not have access to your full medical history or ongoing treatment plans outside of the telehealth consultation, and adjustments to other medications are beyond the scope of the services provided. Therefore, it is the responsibility of the patient to communicate with their GP to ensure that all medications are appropriately managed as their health evolves. 

• By using Pontis Fit services, patients acknowledge that their overall health management requires collaboration with their primary healthcare provider. Pontis strongly recommends that patients schedule a follow-up appointment with their GP within two weeks after disembarking to review any prescribed treatments, assess progress, and make necessary adjustments to their medication regimen. 

 

Data Protection Considerations 

• Telehealth consultations are performed via secure and encrypted video call across recognized software, in full compliance with GDPR legislation. Technical issues can occur which may interrupt telehealth consultations, including but not limited to: poor connection, software malfunction, and hardware malfunction. 

• Doctors will create an electronic medical record of the Pontis Fit consultation. All data is securely stored in compliance with GDPR legislation on a third-party Electronic Medical Record (EMR) platform. Medical records may be anonymized for use in data collection, analysis and presentation in verbal and written format. Pontis Fit doctors may share prescriptions with the onboard medical team to facilitate the efficient dispensation of GLP-1 agonist medications. Medical records may be released if required by law. 

• Pontis’ full Data Protection Policy is available to read here: https://pontisfit.com/data-protection-policy/ 

 

Use of the Pontis Fit App 

• The Pontis Fit App is designed to help patients track their health metrics, including weight, BMI, abdominal circumference, and physical activity. However, the use of the app does not constitute any form of continuity of care. Pontis Fit does not monitor or have access to the data inputted into the app. The information stored in the app is solely for the personal use of the patient and does not form part of the telehealth consultations or medical records. Patients are advised to share any relevant data from the app directly with their healthcare provider during follow-up visits for better continuity of care. 

 

Benefits of Pontis Fit Services 

• Convenient telehealth access to specialist clinical assessment of patient suitability for GLP-1 agonist treatment. 

• Subject to a prescription being issued, the possibility to purchase GLP-1 agonists, often at a competitive price. Pricing of GLP-1 agonists is set by the cruise lines. 

• Access to the Pontis Fit app to record weight loss and activity levels. 

 

Potential Risks and Limitations to Pontis Fit Services 

While Pontis strives to provide the highest standard of care, patients acknowledge the following risks:   

• One-time Consultation: Pontis advises that all patients schedule a follow-up appointment with their GP soon after disembarking to review any prescribed treatments, assess progress, and make necessary adjustments to their medication regime. 

• Technical Limitations, e.g. interruption to the telehealth consultation due to poor network connectivity. 

• Data Protection Risks: While all data is stored in compliance with GDPR, there is a minimal risk of data breach inherent to any digital communication system. 

• Medications prescribed through Pontis Fit are sourced from licensed third-party pharmaceutical wholesalers or manufacturers. Pontis does not manufacture, store, or handle these medications. These vendors are contractually required to comply with applicable safety and regulatory standards and to carry products liability insurance. While Pontis coordinates the supply of medications, it is not responsible for product defects, storage conditions, or manufacturing issues. Patients are advised to seek medical attention immediately if they experience any adverse effects. 

 

Patient Responsibility and Acknowledgment 

• By using Pontis Fit services, patients agree that they are responsible for their health decisions and for seeking appropriate follow-up care as necessary. The telehealth consultations provided are intended for initial assessment and treatment planning and are not a substitute for ongoing medical care. Pontis Fit and its contracted doctors are not liable for any adverse outcomes resulting from the use of prescribed medications without appropriate follow-up or from any failure to seek medical care for adverse reactions.  

• By using Pontis Fit services, patients acknowledge these terms and accept the responsibility for adhering to medical advice provided by Pontis Fit doctors, including the importance of contacting healthcare professionals if they experience any adverse symptoms. 

•  By using Pontis Fit services, patients acknowledge that Pontis Fit prescriptions are strictly issued in the name of the patient and that only the named patient is authorized to take the prescribed medication. 

 

General Disclaimer 

• Pontis strives to provide accurate and reliable healthcare services; however, all medical decisions and treatments are at the discretion of the attending doctor. The effectiveness and outcomes of any treatment, including medications prescribed, may vary from patient to patient. Pontis is not liable for the specific health outcomes of any telehealth consultation or treatment, or for the use of the Pontis Fit App. These terms are subject to change, and patients are advised to review them periodically. 

 

Importation Disclaimer for Medications 

• Patients are advised that bringing prescription medications into a country may be subject to import restrictions and customs regulations. For example, the United States Customs and Border Protection (CBP) generally allows individuals to bring up to a 90-day supply of FDA-approved prescription medications into the United States for personal use, provided the medication is declared, presented in its original packaging, and complies with the FDA’s Personal Importation Policy (PIP). Similar rules may apply in other countries, such as Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, and EU member states, but each jurisdiction applies its own laws and discretion. 

• By signing this consent form, the patient confirms that they are solely responsible for complying with any importation or customs requirements in their country of arrival. Pontis is not responsible for any delays, confiscation, fines, criminal charges, legal fees, or other consequences that may result from a country’s refusal to permit the importation of medications prescribed through Pontis Fit. 

 

Acknowledgment and Consent 

• By proceeding, I confirm that I have read and understood this form, including the independent contractor status of doctors, the exclusive jurisdiction of Gibraltar for disputes involving Pontis Medical Limited, and the jurisdictional requirements for litigation involving doctors. I accept these terms and agree to proceed with the services provided.