Evaluation of a pharmacist’s impact on the use of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists for weight management in a family medicine setting

Abstract

Background Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor (GLP-1) agonists carry benefits and risks that must be evaluated prior to use and monitored throughout weight management therapy. Pharmacists possess the accessibility and extensive medication knowledge to evaluate and monitor the use of GLP-1 therapy in weight management patients. Objective Evaluate the clinical and financial impact of a pharmacist-directed weight management service utilizing GLP-1 receptor agonists in a family practice setting. Methods A retrospective cohort study including patients at 2 family practices, aged 18 and older, prescribed a weight management GLP-1 between October 1, 2021 and March 1, 2022 was performed. Patients who met inclusion and were prescribed a weight loss GLP-1 but were not managed by the clinical pharmacist were compared with the pharmacist cohort. Descriptive statistics and inferential statistics including an independent t-test were used in the data analysis. Results There were 46 and 39 patients identified in the clinical pharmacist and primary care physician cohorts respectively. Patients in the clinical pharmacist cohort achieved a mean body weight reduction of 9.32% compared to 5.11% body weight reduction for patients in the primary care physician cohort (P = 0.01). There were 63 months identified of inappropriate GLP-1 therapy deprescribed in the clinical pharmacist cohort resulting in an estimated cost savings of $101,985.66. Conclusions The implementation of a pharmacist-led weight management clinic in 2 family medicine offices resulted in a significant reduction in body weight and reduction in total costs to the healthcare system compared to patients receiving weight management services from their primary care physician alone.