Pharmacy weight loss tick

A MEAL‐REPLACEMENT weight managment program, developed in collabora on with the CSIRO, combining in-pharmacy support with the CSIRO diet book, meal replacements and a phone support service, now has evidence of longterm success.

New research from a phase 4 review by Griffith University of the in-market weight management program provides evidence that a pharmacy based program can lead to long-term maintenance of weight loss.

Griffith University’s review covered data collected by pharmacies Australia-wide for the five‐year period.

In-market reviews are commonly undertaken by the pharmaceutical sector to con nue assessing the effect and safety of new interven ons.

Along with assessing weight loss, the program includes measures of blood pressure, glucose and total cholesterol.

Over 60,000 people have started the program since its inception five years ago - those compliant with the program experienced an approximate loss of 5% of bodyweight along with reduc ons in blood pressure and total cholesterol, said lead researcher Professor Allan Cripps.

“That weight loss is sustained on this program goes against all the belief that weight management programs are not effec ve in the long term,” notes Cripps.

“Obesity is now considered an epidemic in developed countries, with over 60% of the adult Australian popula on overweight,” says Dr Nicholas West also from the research team.

“This increases the risk of diseases like type 2 diabetes, cancer and cardiovascular disease.

“Reducing excess body mass is a key health priority and requires mul ple approaches, such as those incorporated in this program.”