Summary

The demand for treatment with GLP-1s will increase for the foreseeable future and greater access through legitimate sources is crucial. ‘Medicated weight loss’ with GLP-1s is increasingly accepted as a means of improving well-being and reducing health risks.

Pharmacies are in a strong position to build on existing knowledge, skills and experience in weight management and use of PGDs. Numbers of pharmacies with pharmacist independent prescribers are growing and will see rapid expansion from 2026. The roles of community pharmacy in weight management will continue to evolve.

Useful resources

• Obesity profile: short statistical commentary, May 2025. Office for Health Improvement & Disparities
• Overweight and obesity management: Quality Standard. NICE QS212. Published August 5, 2025
• GLP-1 medicines for weight loss and diabetes: what you need to know. MHRA. Updated August 20, 2025
• Weight loss medications – FAQs. GPhC. August 29, 2025
• Weight change and associated health problems. Health Experience Insights, Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, 2024
• The NHS Digital Weight Management Programme. NHS England

In the next toolkit we look at evidence-based approaches to diet and physical activity.