By Jeremy Meader
More than a quarter of adults in England are considered clinically obese, which puts tremendous strain on healthcare services.
Obesity in England costs the NHS £6.5 billion annually but forecasts claim that figure will rise to an astronomical £9.7 billion per year by 2050.
There has never been a better time for pharmacies to help the NHS than right now - by helping the one in four adult patients who need to reduce their weight.
The launch of safe, certified weight loss jabs in pharmacies has meant many patients can now lose weight using a method they may have previously felt was impossible.
And, while many people once looked to unregulated websites for tablets or injections that promised the world when it came to weight loss, now there are pharmacies and healthcare professionals readily available that can help.
Well Pharmacy and many Independents offers a weight loss management programme that doesn’t have a faceless dealer - instead patients are welcomed into a shop or spoken with virtually or face-to-face.
Clear, honest and informed consultations take place allowing for a positive discussion about weight loss and the best options for the individual, weight loss - it must be remembered - it is not a one size fits all solution.
A face to-face approach may not suit everyone with some perhaps preferring the anonymity of being able to keep their weight loss journey to themselves.
Support continues throughout the customer's journey as Well Pharmacy’s weight management team, continue checking in online with face to face calls to ensure everything is alright.
This monitoring, guidance and prescription through a health practitioner is paramount to patient safety.
The Internet isn’t always a helpful place for people looking for legitimacy with a slew of rogue sites found to be selling Mounjaro and Wegovy jabs without the need for a prescription.
More than 400 harmful sites or social media posts were removed in the last two years according to data sourced by ITV.
Though these jabs still come with risks, even when prescribed by a pharmacist, all patients are managed by a supportive and more importantly certified and qualified member of our weight management team.
However, for those who opt to go online and purchase a miracle pill or jab they are advertised there could be life threatening consequences.
The rise of social media also has a part to play in driving sales of unprescribed medicine as teenagers are targeted and intrigued after seeing weight loss jabs being advertised across Facebook, X and TikTok.
This is the opposite effect to what true bricks and mortar pharmacies have tried to achieve with their weight loss programmes.
There is no stigma to someone walking in the door of their local pharmacy and asking to have a chat about weight loss jabs or how to eat healthier.
People often thrive when they feel they can build trust with their healthcare provider and that is a cornerstone of why so many of us got into pharmacy initially - to help patients.
Many pharmacists have reported they see the positive change in patients as they lose weight and gain confidence and trust with their local weight loss team.
Well Pharmacy reports that patients who have accessed their weight loss management clinic both online and in person have lost on average over 20 per cent of their body weight.
It is key that we, as pharmacists, understand our place in the battle against weight loss in the UK.
While there are a variety of options available, many people, indeed perhaps the majority, might thrive working with us rather than doing it alone online via third party sites.
Helping people achieve results they deemed impossible and setting them on a path to a healthier, happier life is a privilege and something that we will endeavour to do as much as possible as the weight management market continues to grow throughout the UK.
Jeremy Meader is the Chief Wholesale Officer of Bestway Healthcare, overseeing brands such as Lexon, Wardles, and Bestway Medhub. Jeremy has over 25 years of experience in the UK pharmaceutical sector, and has worked in executive roles across the industry.
