Asda has launched a “face-to-face” weight loss service pilot in some of its pharmacies, the supermarket announced last week.
The in-store service will be available at 19 of Asda’s 242 pharmacies from this month, to offer eligible customers “expert in-person consultations” with “specially trained pharmacists”.
Asda said the pilot follows “growing demand for more personalised support”, with customers “highlighting a desire for face-to-face consultations” alongside the existing Asda Online Doctor service.
Read more: Asda launches disposal scheme for unregulated weight loss jabs
It added that its Online Doctor weight loss service has seen “more than 800,000 patients” complete “over three million private consultations”, and said it will offer its in-store service at the same price as the online one.
The chain also told C+D there is “no set end-date” for the pilot, but uptake of the service will be regularly reviewed - and if it proves successful, there is potential for it to be rolled out to all Asda pharmacies.
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Asda healthcare services director Faye Breckons said the pilot will give customers “more choice” in accessing weight loss services and combine “personalised clinical care with the reassurance of ongoing support throughout their journey”.
“While our Online Doctor service already supports thousands of patients, we’ve heard from both customers and colleagues in our pharmacies that many people would welcome the opportunity to access expert advice in person before choosing what’s right for them,” she said.
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The locations of the participating Asda pharmacies are:
- Accrington
- Capehill
- Corby
- Edinburgh
- Fareham
- Chelmsley Wood
- Coventry
- Farnworth
- Hinckley
- Leicester Fosse Park
- Middlesbrough
- Newport
- Park Royal
- Pentwyn
- Sinfin
- Sittingbourne
- Thornaby
- Tilbury
- Trafford Park
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It comes after Asda Pharmacy last month introduced a “judgement-free”disposal scheme for unregulated weight loss jabs.
And it follows Asda in February launching a campaign raising awareness of Pharmacy First to help “lighten the load” on GPs and address the confusion about which service patients should use as their first port of call.
