Weight Loss Clinics in Pharmacy: Supporting Patients Beyond the Prescription
Source: Irish Pharmacy News, June 2026, pages 56, 58 and 60.
The rise of GLP-1 medicines such as Mounjaro and Wegovy has transformed the conversation around weight management. Once considered a challenging area of healthcare with limited treatment options, obesity management is now evolving rapidly, with increasing numbers of patients seeking support to achieve sustainable weight loss and improve their overall health.
While much of the public discussion has focused on the medicines themselves, community pharmacy teams are increasingly finding themselves at the centre of the patient journey. From helping patients understand how to use injectable treatments for the first time, to managing side effects, monitoring progress and providing ongoing encouragement, pharmacies are playing a growing role in supporting patients beyond the prescription.
Across Ireland and Northern Ireland, pharmacies are responding to rising demand by developing dedicated weight management services and clinics. At the same time, other healthcare providers are seeing the knock-on effects of significant weight loss as patients seek support for the physical changes that can accompany their transformation.
A Growing Need for Support
According to McCabes Pharmacy, increasing demand for weight management services has been driven by both the growing use of weight loss medicines and patients’ desire for structured clinical support.
A McCabes Pharmacy spokesperson said the organisation had identified a need for dedicated in-pharmacy weight management services and responded by developing a model that gives patients access to trained pharmacists in a private consultation setting.
The service includes BMI and blood pressure measurements, lifestyle advice and guidance on medication use, while prescribing decisions remain with the patient’s GP or prescribing clinician.
Appointments can be booked online and are delivered through consultation rooms across McCabes Pharmacy’s nationwide network, helping to make weight management support more accessible to patients.
The development reflects a wider trend across pharmacy, where patients are increasingly looking for healthcare support that is convenient, accessible and delivered by trusted professionals.
More Than Dispensing
For Maeve Cope, Support Pharmacist at McCabes Pharmacy in Malahide, much of the value of the service comes from helping patients navigate the practical realities of treatment.
Many patients attending the clinic require pharmacist-confirmed weight checks as part of their ongoing care, particularly those accessing treatment through online providers.
However, Maeve says one of the most important aspects of the service is helping patients feel confident using injectable medicines correctly.
“These medicines can be expensive and many patients are using an injectable treatment for the first time,” she explains. “We often spend time showing them how to use the pen properly, how to remove the safety cap, how to inject correctly and how to dispose of the needle safely afterwards.”
This education can help prevent wasted doses and improve patient confidence, particularly during the early stages of treatment.
Pharmacy teams also play an important role in helping patients manage common side effects. Gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea, indigestion and reflux are among the most frequent concerns raised by patients using GLP-1 medicines.
“A lot of our conversations are around side effects,” says Maeve. “Sometimes patients are struggling with nausea when they increase their dose, or they may be experiencing reflux or indigestion.”
In many cases, practical support and reassurance can make a significant difference. Advice may include dietary modifications, hydration, ginger tea for nausea or appropriate over-the-counter options such as reflux remedies where clinically suitable.
Importantly, pharmacists can also identify when patients may need further medical review and encourage them to speak with their GP if symptoms persist or if treatment adjustments may be required.
A Different Model North of the Border
In Northern Ireland, pharmacy-led weight management services have developed along a slightly different path.
Daniel Donnelly, pharmacist with Corrys Chemists in Enniskillen, says demand for weight management support has grown significantly and has brought many new patients into the pharmacy.
Unlike the Republic of Ireland, where patients generally require a prescription from a doctor or other prescriber, pharmacists in Northern Ireland can supply certain weight management medicines under a Patient Group Direction (PGD), provided patients meet defined clinical criteria.
This allows pharmacies to play a more direct role in initiating treatment.
Daniel says the service has increased footfall and introduced many new patients to the pharmacy, while also creating opportunities to provide broader healthcare support.
One notable trend has been the number of patients travelling from the Republic of Ireland to Northern Ireland to access weight management medicines.
“We are seeing a huge number of patients coming from the Republic,” he explains.
Whether attending the clinic directly or presenting with prescriptions, many patients require support around medicine use, injection technique and side effect management.
As in McCabes, digestive symptoms are among the most common concerns.
Patients frequently seek advice about diarrhoea, nausea and gastrointestinal discomfort, with pharmacy teams providing practical guidance around hydration, dietary measures and over-the-counter support where appropriate.
Looking Beyond the Medicine
While pharmacists are helping patients achieve their weight loss goals, other healthcare providers are witnessing the physical changes that can follow significant weight reduction.
Ailish Kelly, Patient Experience Director at Avoca Clinic, says the clinic has experienced a substantial increase in enquiries from patients who have lost weight using GLP-1 medicines and are now seeking support for issues such as loose skin, skin laxity and changes in body shape.
“These people wouldn’t have been patients of ours five years ago,” she says.
Many have lost two to three stone and are now exploring options to address loose skin around the abdomen, thighs and other areas. Others have experienced more dramatic weight loss of six or seven stone, creating more complex challenges that may require surgical intervention.
The clinic has also noticed an increase in men seeking consultations, while many patients are in their mid-thirties to mid-forties and report feeling healthier and more confident following their weight loss journey.
Ailish describes many of these patients as highly motivated individuals who are now looking to complete the next stage of their transformation.
For some, non-surgical skin tightening treatments may be suitable. However, for patients who have experienced substantial weight loss, restorative surgical procedures are often the more realistic option.
The trend has become significant enough that Avoca Clinic is expanding its services in response to growing demand.
A Holistic Approach
The importance of supporting patients beyond weight loss alone is echoed by Anthony Houghton, Group CEO of Holland & Barrett.
He notes that weight management remains a significant challenge for many adults, with the company’s recent research finding that more than one quarter of customers reported difficulties managing their weight during the previous year.
As interest in weight loss medicines grows, Anthony believes patients require more than medication alone to achieve long-term success.
“Research suggests that people prescribed the new generation of weight loss drugs may not receive sufficient nutritional guidance to support safe and sustainable weight loss,” he says.
To address this, Holland & Barrett has invested in wellness services that focus on areas including nutrition, gut health, sleep, stress and hydration.
The company has also seen growing demand for products such as protein supplements, fibre and hydration support, which can help patients maintain healthy habits alongside medical treatment.
“At Holland & Barrett, we know that weight management remains a significant and personal challenge for many adults in the UK, and following our recent State of the Nation survey, we found that among those who have bought health and wellness products from us in the last 12 months, 1 in 4 (26%) report experiencing challenges with weight management over the same period.
“We’ve already supported 1 million customers with their weight management missions, providing a holistic approach and support on whatever their journey may be. To further support this approach, we are continuing to invest through our Back Your Body commitment, including offering free 15-minute Wellness Check-Ins delivered by trained Wellness Champions in stores. These are designed to help customers take practical first steps around areas such as sleep, energy, stress, gut health and immunity, while also accessing trusted advice around nutrition and wellbeing.
“Research suggests that people prescribed the new generation of weight loss drugs may not receive sufficient nutritional guidance to support safe and sustainable weight loss. That’s why at Holland & Barrett, we are building on our long-standing expertise in nutrition and wellbeing and combining trusted wellness support with regulated providers, and continuing to support customers with products such as protein, fibre and hydration – which we know can play an important role in supporting weight management as part of a balanced and sustainable approach.
We are also investing in our own-brand weight management ranges with new launches planned throughout 2026 and beyond as part of our commitment to help people live longer, healthier lives, reaching at least 10 million people from 2030 across Holland & Barrett’s core markets.”
A Solgar spokesperson told IPN, “We are seeing a growing level of interest from pharmacists seeking guidance on appropriate supplementation to support patients taking GLP-1 medications. Nutritional counselling is a critical component of care for these patients. While pharmacists are typically well versed in macronutrient considerations, particularly protein intake, there can be less confidence when it comes to recommending targeted supplementation.
“Recent research indicates that 84% of individuals taking GLP-1 medications are also using supplements, with 55% continuing supplementation after completing their course. Notably, 73% report taking a multivitamin, underlining the important role pharmacy teams can play in guiding appropriate product choice (Informa Nutrition Business Journal, Supplements in the Ozempic Age, 2024). This clearly highlights the need for accessible, evidence based guidance to support both pharmacists and patients in this evolving space.
“At Solgar, our ambition is to help bridge this gap by providing credible, science led nutritional education for pharmacy teams. We plan to begin rolling out dedicated training in the coming months to further support pharmacists in delivering confident, informed patient care.”
The Future of Weight Management in Pharmacy
As weight management services continue to evolve, community pharmacy is emerging as a key part of the patient support network.
The accessibility of pharmacies, combined with pharmacists’ clinical expertise and regular contact with patients, places them in a unique position to provide ongoing support throughout the weight loss journey.
Whether helping patients administer their first injection, monitoring progress through regular weigh-ins, advising on side effects or supporting wider lifestyle changes, pharmacy teams are increasingly demonstrating that successful weight management involves much more than a prescription alone.
For many patients, the journey does not end when treatment begins. Instead, it is the start of an ongoing process requiring education, encouragement, monitoring and support. As demand for weight management services continues to grow, community pharmacies look set to play an increasingly important role in helping patients achieve their goals safely, effectively and sustainably.
Why Community Pharmacy is Uniquely Positioned to Support Weight Management
As demand for weight management services continues to grow, community pharmacies are increasingly demonstrating their value as accessible, trusted healthcare destinations for patients embarking on a weight loss journey.
While much of the public attention surrounding GLP-1 medicines has focused on prescribing and availability, successful weight management requires far more than simply supplying a medicine. Patients often need ongoing education, encouragement, monitoring and practical support throughout their treatment journey, and this is where community pharmacy can make a significant difference.
Importantly, pharmacy teams can also help reinforce the lifestyle changes that underpin successful long-term weight management.
Conversations around healthy eating, hydration, physical activity and realistic expectations can complement pharmacological treatment and support sustainable behaviour change.
Perhaps most importantly, pharmacies provide a supportive and non-judgemental environment. Weight management can be a sensitive topic for many patients, and having access to trusted healthcare professionals who are approachable, knowledgeable and available can help patients feel more comfortable seeking advice and support.
As weight management services continue to evolve, community pharmacy is increasingly proving that its role extends well beyond medicine supply. By combining accessibility, clinical expertise and ongoing patient engagement, pharmacies are becoming an integral part of the multidisciplinary approach to obesity care and long-term weight management.
