BDA /DOM UK statement on Over The Counter Alli

The Dietitians in Obesity Management (DOM UK) specialist group of the British Dietetic Association believes that people using Alli, the new non-prescription weight loss aid, need comprehensive support to change their eating habits. This is to ensure they follow a healthy calorie-controlled, low fat eating plan to effectively and safely promote weight loss and to avoid any side effects of Alli.
                                
Dietitians recognise that obesity is the greatest public health problem of the 21st century. Around two-thirds of adults in the UK are now overweight and 1 in 4 is obese. People need appropriate support and treatment for this complex condition. 

Evidence-based treatments include lifestyle changes, including healthier eating, increasing levels of physical activity, and behaviour modification.  Medically-proven drug treatments are also used when appropriate.  As different approaches help different people, drug treatment such as Alli may also be helpful for some people, alongside lifestyle change and support.  But there is a danger that drugs are seen as a quick fix, magic pill.  Alli may have a role for some people for the first 6 months, as a helping hand towards modest, but beneficial weight loss. But sustained weight management needs lifelong, changes to eating habits and physical activity.  

Drugs do not necessarily deal with the underlying reasons for weight gain which has usually crept on over the years. People often eat for psychological reasons and behaviour therapy delivered by a trained professional is key to helping people deal with the issues that have caused the weight gain in the first place.

GlaxoSmithKline(GSK) is presently delivering a comprehensive training programme outreaching to all pharmacies across the UK, which will inform pharmacists and pharmacy staff enabling them to provide the appropriate advice to customers. Supportive literature around diet, activity and behaviour modification will be provided to people taking Alli.

Alli specifies that if there is no weight loss within 12 weeks users should be referred on to healthcare professionals. Registered Dietitians are skilled healthcare professionals offering people reliable and practical support with making positive and long term changes to their eating habits through a behavioural approach.

Dietitians also have a significant role to play in training other healthcare professionals and ensuring those healthcare professionals know where people who need ongoing support with their weight management can be signposted for support. This as an opportunity for dietitians to liaise with pharmacists through the PCT and obesity strategies, ensuring pharmacists are fully aware of weight management services available in their communities.

DOM UK welcomes new ways to tackle the priority that is obesity, however  we need to wait until there has been a full review of the comprehensive Alli support programme and the outcomes of ‘real life’ use are reported.

For further information:

 

April 2009

 

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