To find out if you’re eligible for weight loss treatment, follow the link to our online or in-person consultations and complete the short questionnaire to see if you meet the inclusion criteria.

If you are eligible, you can book a consultation at a date and time that suit you, where your pharmacist will discuss the treatment options with you in detail and, if you’re eligible, you’ll make your payment. Your first month's treatment will then be dispensed for you, either in the pharmacy or sent to your address. You’ll then be able to start treatment.

It is a legal requirement for Healthcare providers to verify the identity of their patients before prescribing medication. 

We’ll check your identity against one of the following documents to prove who you are.

• Passport 
• Driving Licence (full or provisional) 
• National Identity Card

If your consultation is online, you'll be asked to hold your ID to the camera. Please also ensure you have your body scales at hand as your pharmacist will ask for a measurement.

The cost of your weight management treatment depends on the outcome of your consultation and on which treatment option you and your pharmacist believe is best for you.

All of the treatment options that we offer have undergone rigorous testing and have been approved by health authorities in the UK. Here are a few key points about their safety:

Clinical Trials: All treatment options have been through extensive clinical trials involving thousands of participants. These trials provide a detailed understanding of how these treatments work and their safety profiles.

Common Side Effects: It's normal to be concerned about side effects. Common side effects include nausea, diarrhoea, constipation, and decreased appetite, which typically decrease over time. These side effects are generally mild and temporary. We actively encourage you to reach out to your pharmacist if you are worried about any side effects that you may be experiencing.

Monitoring and Support: All of our customers who book a weight management appointment will have an initial consultation with one of our pharmacists to ensure we understand everyone’s individual circumstances and answer your questions.

If you start treatment, your pharmacist will closely monitor your progress. This ensures any side effects are managed effectively and that the treatment is working well for you, as well as giving you the moral support you need on your weight loss journey.

Being overweight or obese can lead to serious health implications and potentially life-threatening conditions, including coronary heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and even some types of cancer. It can also cause debilitating issues in day-to-day life, such as breathlessness, increased sweating, joint pain, snoring and feeling very tired.

If you’re not sure of your BMI, you can check it using the NHS BMI Calculator.

Learn more about weight loss and the risks of being overweight from the NHS

One common challenge people face when trying to lose weight is the lack of access to quality services. As the UK’s longest-established community pharmacy chain, Rowlands Pharmacy has built a reputation as a trusted and dependable presence on the high street for over 200 years. Our pharmacists are highly trained and fully qualified to provide a safe and effective weight management service.
Our mission is to ensure you receive the most appropriate and personalised medication and treatment to meet your individual needs. During your complimentary initial consultation, we will equip you with comprehensive information about your treatment options, empowering you to make informed decisions. Throughout your journey, you’ll have ongoing support to help you stay on track and achieve the best possible results

Exercise 

Exercise can help you burn calories by being active. The food you eat is stored in your body as fat to use as energy, which is used up when you exercise. If you use up less energy than you take in, this fat builds up causing you to gain weight. Exercise can also help prevent some medical conditions like diabetes.

Find out more at the NHS Get Active website.

Diet 

Healthy eating is very important when managing your weight. Some top tips include aiming for 2 or more portions of veg in your main meal, eating a portion of fish at least twice a week, keeping carbohydrates to wholegrain and no more than a third of your meal, and choosing small amounts of low-fat spreads. It is also important to stay hydrated – drink 6 to 8 cups of fluid a day – this includes water, tea, coffee and even soup!

Find out more at the NHS Eat Well page.

See our full list of weight loss articles

Surgery 

Usually a last resort, surgery is for people who have been unable to lose weight with other treatment methods. Options include a gastric band, which is fitted around your stomach and makes you feel fuller from smaller amounts of food. A sleeve gastrectomy, where part of your stomach is removed, makes the amount of food you are able to eat smaller.

Surgery will be recommended by your doctor if they think it will be safe and beneficial for you, but it is not suitable for everyone.

Find more information on the NHS Website.