Boots yesterday (October 20) announced the launch of a “free 12-month support programme” for patients stopping weight loss treatments.
The “first of its kind” from a UK online healthcare provider, the service is available to customers who have “used the Boots Online Doctor weight loss treatment service for at least six consecutive months”, the health and beauty giant said.
The “aftercare programme” is designed to “help people maintain their weight loss results” after they complete treatment and comes into effect “two months after [patients’] final month of treatment”, it added.
Read more: NICE: Monitor patients for ‘at least a year’ after stopping weight loss jabs
It comes after National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidance published in August recommended healthcare services provide “tailored action plans” for patients for “at least a year” after stopping weight loss medication to prevent weight regain.
Boots explained that patients using the programme will have “unlimited support” from its Online Doctor clinicians “via a secure messaging platform”.
They will receive a “monthly email that includes expert information, support and resources tailored to helping people who have stopped weight loss treatment maintain a healthy weight”, it added.
“Pharmacy advice”
Patients will also have access to “a wealth of Boots Online Doctor digital resources” such as webinars and podcasts that cover topics such as nutrition, exercise and mental health and wellbeing advice, the chain said.
“Free weigh-ins and pharmacy advice” are also available at “more than 1,500 Boots stores nationwide” for those using the programme, it added.
Boots Online Doctor weight loss treatment service clinical lead Dr Sam Wellappili said that while “not everyone” wants to stay on weight loss medicines “forever”, many “worry that they will put weight back on as soon as they stop”.
Read more: Weight loss jabs: Almost 750 GPhC concerns raised this year
“We know that coming off weight loss treatment suddenly, without support, can make it much harder to maintain results,” she said.
This is why Boots has designed a programme “to give patients the guidance and encouragement they need to help them achieve lasting long-term success”, she added.
NICE’s updated guidance set out that healthcare providers are “expected to begin rolling out” support for those coming off obesity medication “immediately”.
Read more: MHRA seizures of weight loss jabs rise 163% in three months
It called for these services to offer “ongoing advice” for patients coming off weight loss medications such as Wegovy and Mounjaro.
And it explained that this could cover “everything from regular check-ins and practical strategies to support with sustainable routines, social support and accessing community help”.
