Background
Two-thirds of all Australian adults are either overweight (36%) or are living with obesity (31%) and the proportion of adults with obesity is continuing to rise.1 The patients seeking strategies for weight management often have complex comorbidities. The Drug and Therapeutics Information Service (DATIS) supports general practitioners (GPs) and other healthcare practitioners in complex decision-making regarding medicines within the context of obesity and bariatric surgery.
Method
All clinical enquiries received by DATIS are recorded and analysed in Mi Databank. A search using keywords “obesity”, “weight loss” and “bariatric surgery” was undertaken for the period of January 2017 to June 2023. Records include nature of the enquiry, response provided, enquiry type, resources used and application of clinical judgement. Enquiries are received in-clinic, via telephone, email and facsimile.
Results
DATIS responded to 7125 therapeutic enquiries from practitioners during this five-and-a-half-year period, of which 239 (3.3%) were related to the management of patients with obesity. There was a marked escalation of enquiries related to obesity over time. Of these, over 90% of responses required clinical judgement by the DATIS pharmacist and 86% were related to medicines management around bariatric surgery. The nature of the enquiries will be presented and reflect the complexity and variety of concerns related to the management of patients with obesity. Responses require the interpretation of limited published information, and collaboration with other clinicians and relevant specialists as evidence is not included in manufacturers product information. Quality assurance audits of the service reveal high levels of satisfaction of the service.
Conclusion
This review demonstrates increasing numbers and complexity of enquires relating to medicines in the management of people with obesity. It highlights the expert role of clinical pharmacists assisting in the care of patients through the application of first principles, clinical judgment, and multidisciplinary collaboration.