Pharmacists Face Barriers in Educating Patients on Saxenda® for Weight Management

The global prevalence of obesity and type 2 diabetes continues to rise, making effective weight management crucial. Saxenda® (liraglutide), a GLP-1 receptor agonist, is an important therapeutic option for chronic weight management. However, proper patient education is vital for adherence, managing side effects, and achieving optimal outcomes. This study addresses the knowledge gap regarding the specific practices, barriers, and strategies community pharmacists employ in educating patients about Saxenda®.

The study revealed that a significant 85% of pharmacists reported facing substantial time constraints as a major barrier to providing comprehensive patient education on Saxenda®. Furthermore, 68% indicated a notable lack of standardized educational resources and materials specifically tailored for Saxenda® patients. Pharmacists estimated that patients receiving thorough education had a 40% higher likelihood of adhering to their medication regimen compared to those with minimal instruction. The study revealed that 92% of pharmacists believed enhanced patient education could reduce initial side effect-related discontinuations by at least 25%, highlighting its critical role in treatment persistence. Additionally, 75% of pharmacists expressed a strong desire for more specialized training on GLP-1 receptor agonists like liraglutide to better address complex patient concerns and improve counseling quality.