[Role of community pharmacists in obesity prevention and support to patients]

Prevention, health education and patient education are among the community pharmacists' missions. Through their access to patients, community pharmacists have an important role to play in tackling obesity: they contribute to public information and awareness, they promote obesity prevention by helping people improve diet and physical activity, they identify and refer patients to GPs for monitored weight loss programmes and provide daily support to patients with obesity. Health and social education committee for French pharmacy (Cespharm) - a special unit of the French pharmaceutical Chamber - helps pharmacists to get involved in these fields.