AAH calls for increased pharmacy role in obesity treatment

AAH Pharmaceuticals has called on healthcare authorities to utilise pharmacies more prominently in the fight against obesity.

Ajit Malhi, head of marketing services for the pharmacy supplier, has noted that pharmacists are currently the "first point of healthcare" for many UK consumers seeking weight management assistance, a trend which should be encouraged.

The comments come in response to newly-released NHS figures which indicate that hospital obesity admissions passed the 100,000 mark for the first time in 2009.

Mr Malhi said these statistics illustrate the need for further NHS funding to be dedicated to guiding patients to visit pharmacies in order to combat the condition.

"Surely this is proof enough … that commissioners should not only take advantage of the expertise, convenience and accessibility that pharmacy provides, but promotes it and urges the UK public to walk through our doors," he said.

Last month, AAH was named by Abbott as one of its three exclusive distributors for pharmacy products in the UK, as well as Alliance Healthcare and Phoenix Healthcare.