NPA Supports Availability Of Weight Loss Treatment As A Pharmacy Medicine, UK

Main Category: Obesity / Weight Loss / Fitness
Also Included In: Pharmacy / Pharmacist
Article Date: 25 Jan 2009 - 0:00 PDT

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The National Pharmacy Association (NPA) has welcomed the European Commission's decision to widen access to orlistat, giving pharmacists the ability to help people who are overweight and obese with a well proven and safe medicine.

Commenting on the decision John Turk, NPA Chief Executive said:
"Our members report that many people seek advice from pharmacists on how best they can lose weight. By making orlistat a pharmacy medicine, pharmacists now have a new way of encouraging safe, steady and sustained weight loss in the general public."

"It is not a miracle cure but the support that patients will receive from pharmacists, when taking this medicine, will encourage healthy eating habits and enable a healthy long term lifestyle change. This fits in well with the Department of Health's Change4Life programme. Pharmacy is keen to take a leading role in promoting diet, exercise and a healthy lifestyle as part of the weight loss regime."

"Pharmacists will carefully assess the patient through consultation, decide whether the medicine is right for them and confirm that they are committed to changing their lifestyle in the long term. Our members have already proven they are ready, willing and able to help people lose weight. Initiatives such as the evaluation of the weight loss service being provided by pharmacists in Coventry have made a compelling case for pharmacists to be brought onto the front line in combating the rising tide of obesity in the UK."

Notes

1. GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) has received a non-prescription licence for alli (orlistat 60mg) More details here.

2. Link below to a report of a pharmacy based weight loss programme in Coventry. This followed the progress of 34 patients who completed the first year of the pharmacy-led scheme and highlighted that thirty of the patients shed a combined total of around 20 stones (127.3kg). They were supported by regular visits to their local pharmacists to be weighed and get helpful tips. http://www.unichem.co.uk/NewsItems/2009-01-06.aspx

National Pharmacy Association

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