Pharmacist intervention enhances adherence to orlistat therapy.
BACKGROUND
Pharmacists, especially those in community practice, should increase their level of intervention in dealing with the nationwide epidemic of obesity since they interact with large numbers of the public on a regular basis. We hypothesized that patients who receive medication for weight loss may have an improved therapeutic outcome if they received additional support from their community pharmacist.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the impact of pharmacist support on patient persistence with orlistat.


METHODS
Pharmacists were trained in basic obesity management skills. Patients who were prescribed orlistat and attending an outpatient nutrition program were invited to participate in the study. All patients agreed to receive pharmaceutical care. Those who lived where the service was available were assigned to the intervention (I) group and those who did not were assigned to the control (C) group. All patients received usual care provided by the outpatient clinic.


RESULTS
Thirty patients, 15 in the I group and 15 in the C group, were recruited. Both groups were predominantly women (87%) with a mean +/- SD age of 43.8 +/- 9.7 years. Patients in the I group had significantly greater persistence with orlistat therapy as assessed by duration of therapy (p = 0.006) and number of patients completing the 26-week study (7 I, 2 C; p = 0.046). There was no significant difference in percent of weight loss between groups (p > 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
In this pilot study, patients receiving pharmaceutical care took orlistat longer than the controls and had improved outcome with orlistat therapy.
Malone
Margaret
M
Department of Pharmacy Practice, Albany College of Pharmacy, Albany, NY 12208, USA. malonem@acp.edu
Alger-Mayer
Sharon A
SA
D000328:Adult; D019440:Anti-Obesity Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003157:Community Pharmacy Services; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007783:Lactones / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D009765:Obesity / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000077403:Orlistat; D010349:Patient Compliance
D019440:Anti-Obesity Agents; D007783:Lactones; D000077403:Orlistat