Pharmacists put shoppers on diets to tackle obesity

PHARMACISTS will start putting obese shoppers on diets under a new NHS scheme.

Until now, obese patients with either high blood pressure or diabetes had to be seen by their GP before they could access the 12-week weight management plan in England. But from today, high street pharmacists can sign people up to the programme of tailored diet and exercise plans.

There is also access to apps and some people will be able to get one-to-one training and support.

Those with a body mass index (BMI) over 30 can sign up and will be contacted within 10 days to start the programme.

People from Asian, black and minority ethnic backgrounds can join the programme at a lower BMI of 27.5, as they have a risk of contracting Type 2 diabetes. Three in five adults in England are overweight and more than one in four are obese.

Dr Bruce Warner, deputy chief pharmaceutical officer at NHS England, said: “Obesity is a significant threat to the nation’s health – it increases your chance of dying from Covid and puts you at greater risk of stroke, cancer and other deadly disease.

“The NHS’S radical action plan means it is now easier for people to take control of their health.

“Adults with obesity can now walk into any high street community pharmacy to take the first step on a lifechanging weight-loss journey.”

Diabetes is estimated to cost the NHS £10 billion a year and almost one in 20 GP prescriptions are for drugs to control

‘Adults with obesity can walk into any pharmacy and take the first step on a weight-loss journey’

the disease. Robert Pettifer, a pharmacist in Warwickshire, said: “Pharmacies play a vital role in the health and wellbeing of our communities and it’s great that we can now refer people to this programme.

“Trained pharmacy teams can support you on a journey to a healthier lifestyle using simple online plans.”

All 11,000 pharmacies in England have a trained “healthy living champion” who can supply advice.