The Future of Obesity Care

Pharmacists as Healthcare Consultants in Obesity Care

Obesity is a chronic, complex disease—not a failure of willpower—and it requires long-term, team-based management. As one of the most accessible healthcare professionals, pharmacists are uniquely positioned to serve as healthcare consultants and treatment managers for people living with obesity. With deep expertise in medications, chronic disease management, and patient education, pharmacists can bridge critical gaps in care while improving outcomes and supporting overall wellness.

By expanding beyond dispensing into clinical consultation, pharmacists can play a central role in obesity management—helping patients navigate treatment options, reduce complications, and sustain healthier lives.

5 Ways Pharmacists Can Support Patients Living with Obesity

1. Medication Therapy Management (MTM) for Obesity Treatments Pharmacists can assess and manage anti-obesity medications, including GLP-1s and other therapies, ensuring appropriate selection, dosing, side-effect management, and adherence—while coordinating care with prescribers.

2. Personalized Treatment and Lifestyle CoachingPharmacists can provide ongoing counseling on nutrition, physical activity, sleep, and behavior change, helping patients build realistic, sustainable plans that complement medical therapy.

3. Managing Comorbid ConditionsObesity often overlaps with diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia, and cardiovascular disease. Pharmacists can optimize medication regimens across conditions, reduce drug interactions, and improve overall clinical outcomes.

4. Patient Education and AdvocacyPharmacists can help patients understand obesity as a chronic disease, reduce stigma, and advocate for evidence-based care—guiding patients through insurance coverage, prior authorizations, and access to treatment.

5. Long-Term Monitoring and AccountabilityWith frequent patient touchpoints, pharmacists are ideal for ongoing weight-related monitoring, adherence check-ins, and outcome tracking—supporting long-term success rather than short-term fixes.

The Bigger Opportunity

As healthcare shifts toward value-based care and prevention, pharmacists can become trusted obesity care partners, offering clinical services that improve quality of life while creating new revenue streams for pharmacy practice. By embracing their role as consultants and treatment managers, pharmacists can help reshape obesity care—one patient at a time.

RESOURCES

One of the 2025 Pharmacy 50 award winners was 'the Fabulous Pharmacist' Laura Dowling with an incredible conversation with with Prof. Carel Le Roux "Understanding Obesity: Brain Science, Medication Breakthroughs, and Stigma"

We dive into the societal stigmas surrounding obesity, the impact of medication shortages, and how these treatments can help prevent conditions like diabetes. Professor Le Roux also shares insights on reducing "food noise," the journey toward bariatric surgery, and fostering empathy and support for those facing weight management challenges.

The "Obesity CHRONICles" is an educational podcast series sponsored by Novo Nordisk, designed for healthcare professionals to improve obesity care through expert discussions on disease management, stigma reduction, and treatment barriers. It features clinical experts like Dr. Robert Kushner, focusing on evidence-based approaches to obesity. 

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