Readiness of community pharmacists to lead weight-management services: knowledge, practice, facilitators, and barriers

Abstract

Background: Obesity is a chronic, multifactorial disease and a significant public health challenge in the Middle East, including the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Community pharmacists, due to their accessibility, are well positioned to support weight-management, yet their readiness to provide structured weight-management services (WMS) remains limited. This study assessed pharmacists’ knowledge and practices related to anti-obesity pharmacotherapy and lifestyle counseling and explored facilitators and barriers to WMS implementation. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted between November 2023 and January 2024 among licensed community pharmacists across all seven emirates. A total of 402 pharmacists were recruited by convenience sampling and completed a validated questionnaire. Data were analysed using SPSS version 29. Descriptive and inferential statistical analyses were conducted. Composite knowledge and practice scores were calculated and dichotomised at their respective sample medians. Results: Most participants were aged 25–35 years (64.4%) and female (57.2%). Good knowledge was observed in 71.1% of pharmacists, while 53.0% demonstrated good practice. Most recognized obesity as a chronic disease (85.8%) and correctly identified the BMI threshold for pharmacotherapy initiation (71.1%). Routine use of structured assessments was low, including BMI calculation (19.4%), waist measurement (9.2%), and follow-up (27.4%). Non-pharmacological (35.6%) support was more common than medication recommendations (8.5%). Key barriers included limited insurance coverage, time constraints, knowledge gaps, and staffing shortages, while major facilitators were access to educational resources, specialized training, and dedicated consultation space. Most pharmacists (90.3%) were willing to undertake additional training, and no demographic predictors of knowledge or practice were identified (p > 0.05). Conclusion: This study highlights that UAE community pharmacists are willing and reasonably knowledgeable to support weight-management services; however, gaps in practice behaviors indicate partial readiness. To move from potential to practice, efforts must focus on reducing operational barriers through targeted training, clear service protocols, consultation space, and appropriate reimbursement models, enabling consistent, evidence-based pharmacy-led services.