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Chair: Brendan Hayes, Member of the EuroPharm Forum Professional Advisory Board, Moderator of the Working Group Obesity
As available information on obesity is somewhat limited, Mr Hayes invited all members present to come forward and share their relevant pharmaceutical activities, in order that the Forum might find a suitable niche in the field. |
Obesity in Europe and Hungary: Reasons and Basic Steps to Prevention
(link to PowerPoint)
Róbert Gáspár, Associate Professor, University of Szeged, Institute of Pharmacodynamics, Hungary
Prof Gaspar described the definitions of obesity and the comorbidities. He concentrated on prevention, which has to start at infancy and be continued through childhood with focus on behaviour, self-regulation, diet and exercise. Body image and family meals could have a promoting effect on limiting the problem and lead to a healthy lifestyle in adult life. The pharmacy could take a role in patient-centred care by providing good advice to help self control and by providing measuring and monitoring services. Prof Gaspar advised that the pharmacy help prevent the inappropriate use of slimming medicines.
The Impact of Obesity in Cardiovascular Disease; Pharmacists’ Role in Collaboration with GPs
(link to PowerPoint)
István Barna, Associate Professor, Secretary General, Hungarian Society of Hypertension, Hungary
Prof Barna described the epidemiology of obesity and focused on the pathophysiology of obesity together with the cardiovascular risks. He saw weight reduction as one of the best ways to decrease blood pressure as compared to pharmacological treatment. He referred to the work done by the EASO (European Association for Study of Obesity) and presented this as an example of activities that can be carried out to prevent and manage obesity. Finally, he examined the history of pharmacological treatment for obesity and concluded that treatment of obesity is opinion-based and that the expected outcomes of treatment do not exceed 10 %. He believed that it was the role of the pharmacist to inform on lifestyle and safety issues concerning new medicines.
Integrated Approach – Pharmacy-based Metabolic Syndrome Management Programme in Hungary
(link to PowerPoint)
Antal Samu, National Committee of Pharmaceutical Care, Hungary
To start off, Dr Samu accounted for the prevalence of obesity in Hungary, which is very high compared to the rest of Europe; this is one of the reasons why the Hungarian National Committee of Pharmaceutical Care recently developed a Metabolic Syndrome Programme, which has been integrated into the National Cardiovascular Care Programme. During the first year, more than 600 pharmacies (30 % of the Hungarian retail pharmacies) were involved. In 2009, a pilot study was launched, during which 27 pharmacies could use the IT-supported version of the programme. According to the preliminary results, the pharmacies detected that 18 % of the enrolled patients suffered from metabolic syndrome.
As a result of a decision by the EuroPharm Forum Executive Committee, the Forum has accepted an English translation of the metabolic syndrome programme as a EuroPharm Forum working document, and called upon members to comment on the
metabolic syndrome programme on the Observatory to develop a European guideline on that basis.
Discussion
During the following discussion, Ivana Silva (PGEU) informed the audience about the work of the PGEU on obesity. She emphasised the three roles of the PGEU: Being a radar for challenges and opportunities, being a platform for sharing and co-ordinated actions and an advocate for creating new opportunities. Other participants shared their experiences on obtaining remuneration for services with respect to obesity.
Welcome to the EuroPharm Forum!