Our Scoring Methodology
CompareMeds scores every provider using a five-factor weighted formula. Every element of this methodology is public so you can verify our work and challenge anything you disagree with.
Core Principles
Independent
No provider pays us for listings or score improvements. Revenue comes from non-ranked affiliate links only.
Evidence-based
Every sub-score links to source data: CQC inspection reports, Trustpilot, verified pricing pages, or MHRA records.
Weekly updates
Pricing is verified weekly via automated checks. Trust scores update on Trustpilot review publication.
CQC Gate (Applied First)
Before scoring begins, every provider must hold a valid Care Quality Commission (CQC) registration. The CQC is the independent regulator of health and social care in England.
- We verify CQC registration via the CQC public register
- Providers with a suspended, cancelled, or missing CQC registration are excluded entirely
- CQC status is re-checked weekly via automated monitoring
A provider cannot buy their way past this gate — it is a binary pass/fail check.
The Scoring Formula
Each factor is scored 1–10. The weighted total produces a score between 1.00 and 10.00, displayed to 2 decimal places.
| Factor | Weight | How we score it | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | 30% | Normalised to cost-per-mg: (drug price + consultation + shipping) ÷ (mg per dose × doses). Lower cost = higher score. | Provider pricing pages (verified weekly) |
| Clinical Support | 25% | Prescribing doctor GMC registration, blood test requirements, monitoring frequency, titration protocol quality. | CQC inspection reports, provider documentation, mystery shop |
| Trust | 20% | Trustpilot score (floor: 3.0 = automatic Warning badge). CQC inspection rating. MHRA/ASA enforcement history. | Trustpilot, CQC public register, MHRA enforcement list |
| Education | 15% | Quality and completeness of patient-facing education: side-effect guides, dosing instructions, lifestyle content, FAQ depth. | Manual review of provider websites |
| Shipping | 10% | Delivery speed, cold-chain compliance for refrigerated formulations, packaging discretion. | Provider documentation, verified mystery shop orders |
Trustpilot Floor Rule
Any provider with a Trustpilot score below 3.0 / 5.0 receives an automatic ⚠ Warning badge on their listing, regardless of other factor scores. The badge is removed automatically once the score rises above 3.0.
Price Normalisation
Comparing headline prices is misleading. We normalise to cost per milligram of active ingredient:
Example
Provider A
£149 for 0.5mg × 4 pens = £74.50/mg
Consultation included, free shipping
Provider B
£165 drug + £29 consultation + £3.99 shipping = £197.99 ÷ 2mg = £98.99/mg
Hidden costs revealed by normalisation
Update Cadence
| Data | Frequency | Method |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Weekly | Automated scraper + manual verification on change |
| Trustpilot score | Daily | Automated API check; alert if drops below 3.0 |
| CQC registration | Weekly | CQC public register API check |
| Clinical factors | Quarterly | Manual review by clinical researcher |
| Education content | Quarterly | Manual review by content team |
| Shipping | Quarterly | Test orders + provider documentation review |
Methodology FAQs
Can providers pay to improve their CompareMeds score?
No. CompareMeds does not accept payment from providers in exchange for listings, score improvements, or placement. Revenue comes from non-ranked affiliate links only — providers do not appear in our comparison tables as a result of commercial relationships. All scores are calculated from independently verified data. Manual overrides require logged justification and are publicly visible on provider profiles.
How often are provider scores updated?
Pricing is verified weekly via automated monitoring, with manual verification triggered when changes are detected. Trust scores (Trustpilot) are checked daily with automatic alerts if a score drops below 3.0. CQC registration status is checked weekly. Clinical support and education factors are reviewed quarterly by our clinical researcher.
What is the CQC and why does registration matter for UK clinics?
The Care Quality Commission (CQC) is the independent regulator of health and social care in England. All providers prescribing medicines through online services must be registered with the CQC. Registration means the provider has been inspected against the fundamental standards of safety, effectiveness, and quality of care. CompareMeds applies a CQC gate — any provider without a valid, current CQC registration is excluded from our comparison tables entirely, regardless of their prices or patient reviews.
What is the Trustpilot floor rule?
Any provider whose Trustpilot score falls below 3.0 out of 5.0 automatically receives a Warning badge on their CompareMeds listing, regardless of other factor scores. This ensures patients are clearly informed about providers with consistently poor patient satisfaction records. The badge is removed automatically once the score rises above 3.0. Trustpilot scores are checked daily.
Why do you normalise prices to cost per milligram?
Comparing headline monthly prices is misleading. Some providers include consultation fees and blood tests in their package price, while others charge separately. Some use higher doses requiring fewer units per month. We normalise all costs to: (drug price + consultation fee + shipping) divided by (dosage in mg × units supplied). This gives a true like-for-like comparison that reveals the actual cost of the active ingredient you are receiving, regardless of how the provider structures their pricing.
Challenge a Score
If you believe a score is inaccurate, we welcome challenges from providers and members of the public. We will respond within 5 business days and publish our decision with reasoning.
editorial@ukmedcheck.co.uk