Reprint of: Impact of a pharmacist-led weight management service in a cardiology clinic

Background

Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) for weight management require frequent dose titration, patient education, and insurance coverage navigation, which pharmacists are well equipped to manage. Data are lacking regarding the benefit of a pharmacist-managed service using GLP-1 RAs for weight loss in a high-risk cardiac population.

Objective

This study aimed to evaluate the impact of a pharmacist-led weight loss service within a cardiology clinic using GLP-1 RAs and lifestyle counseling in patients with overweight and obesity.

Practice description

An outpatient cardiology clinic employs clinical pharmacists who use collaborative practice agreements to provide cardiovascular risk reduction services that did not include weight management at baseline.

Practice innovation

This is the first description of a pharmacist-led weight management clinic using solely GLP-1 RAs in a cardiology practice. Patients were referred to the clinical pharmacist, who initiated and titrated GLP-1 RA and provided lifestyle counseling.

Evaluation methods

This was a single-center, prospective, pre-post analysis of adults with a body mass index of at least 30 kg/m² or 27 kg/m² with a weight-related comorbidity, with a preceding failed dietary effort and insurance coverage for semaglutide (Wegovy, Novo Nordisk) or liraglutide (Saxenda, Novo Nordisk) and managed by a pharmacist. The primary outcome was patients achieving ≥ 5% weight loss at 6 months, assessed via descriptive statistics.

Results

Between March 2022 and March 2023, 204 patients were referred by their cardiologist, and 59 patients started treatment with semaglutide (Wegovy, Novo Nordisk) or liraglutide (Saxenda, Novo Nordisk). A total of 31 patients completed 6 months of treatment at time of study completion, and all achieved ≥ 5% weight loss at 6 months, with a mean weight loss of 12.6%. Glycated hemoglobin improved by 0.6%, low-density lipoprotein by 18 mg/dL, triglycerides by 29 mg/dL, systolic blood pressure by 9 mm Hg, and diastolic blood pressure by 2 mm Hg.

Conclusion

Pharmacist-led management of GLP-1 RA in patients with obesity or overweight led to clinically meaningful weight loss and improvements in weight-related comorbidities.