Weight management in community pharmacy in Australia

Abstract

Obesity rates in Australia have reached all-time highs, and the primary healthcare setting has been identified as a key area for the management of obesity. Community pharmacies are well positioned to provide weight management initiatives due to their accessibility and potential to identify at-risk consumers. In recent years, there has been a shift in pharmacy practice, with a growing focus on the provision of professional pharmacy services to better support public health needs. Pharmacies are a major outlet for over-the-counter weight-loss products, and there is opportunity for pharmacists to deliver evidence-based and sustainable interventions in this domain. The overarching aim of this thesis was to develop and test a best practice model for weight management services in community pharmacy in Australia, and to identify competencies related to weight management required by pharmacists to inform the development of an educational workshop. The research involved a comprehensive systematic needs assessment conducted through consultation with stakeholders, including pharmacists, consumers, experts in the field and representatives of the leading pharmacy professional organisations, to inform the development of a service model, which was subsequently pilot tested in community pharmacies. In addition, an educational workshop to upskill pharmacy students in weight management was developed and evaluated.