The frequency of dispensing prescriptions or supplying OTC products for weight loss were based on retrospective estimates and are therefore subject to recall bias. The self-reported nature of all our data means that they should be viewed with caution. The recent White Paper Pharmacy in England[24] encourages a much more visible and active role for pharmacists in improving public health and specifically lists measurement of

BMI and waist circumference, weight-management clinics and supply of medicines to help reduce weight among a range of activities through which pharmacy can contribute to overall strategies. In addition to providing programmes, pharmacists are also encouraged to increase public awareness of local and national schemes, such as ‘exercise on prescription’. However, as yet there is limited CHIR-99021 solubility dmso evidence from controlled studies to show that NHS-led weight-management services provided by community pharmacies provide benefit.[5] A recent uncontrolled trial of a weight-management service funded by the Department of Health in England found that 21% of patients recruited lost weight.[7] Studies in other countries have

demonstrated benefits of pharmacy weight-management programmes with similar success rates.[25,26] Some of these studies have involved small numbers of participants, which may indicate lack of awareness, as was found here. Other work has also identified that weight management, although considered by the public to be of high priority for improving public health, was not considered an important selleck screening library pharmacy role.[17] Together with our data, these studies suggest that more work is required to develop and evaluate community pharmacy weight-management

services and to market them effectively. When developing and commissioning services, PCTs and other bodies may be unaware of the commercial services currently being provided by pharmacies, such as the Lipotrim programme provided by six pharmacies in this study. The oxyclozanide supply of OTC weight-loss products from a large proportion of pharmacies also warrants further investigation. Widespread availability of OTC weight-loss products through community pharmacies was also found in a neighbouring PCT,[27] together with a lack of pharmacy staff knowledge about such products and advice accompanying their sale.[27,28] Pharmacists have received professional guidance[29] outlining the lack of evidence of efficacy of these products[30] and could use the opportunity of requests for these products to emphasise this and instead encourage the use of more effective weight-loss methods. If supply of OTC products is greatest in areas of high deprivation, as our data suggest, this raises concerns that people who may benefit from NHS services may not be receiving appropriate advice regarding the need for more sustainable and efficacious approach to weight management.