Launching a Pharmacy-Based Weight Loss Clinic: A Modern Guide

By Dr. Nicolette Mathey

The Growing Weight Loss Market

The U.S. medical weight loss market has nearly doubled to $33.8 billion between 2022 and 2024, driven by soaring demand for GLP‑1 medications like Wegovy, Mounjaro, Zepbound, and Saxenda Investors GlobeNewswire. With obesity rates climbing—over 40% of U.S. adults identified as obese in recent years Grand View Research—independent pharmacies are uniquely positioned to tap into this growth by offering medically supervised, accessible weight-loss programs.

Why Pharmacies Should Consider Weight Loss Clinics

• Increasing demand for non-surgical weight-loss solutions, including prescription therapies and coaching  PharmiWeb.com

• GLP‑1 therapies now account for ~16% of total prescription cost in some large pharmacy coalitions, up from just 1% in 2020  Pharmacy Times

• Compounded versions of GLP‑1s continue to exist, though major pharmaceutical companies like Novo Nordisk are actively pursuing legal action against unauthorized compounding Reuters.

 

How Pharmacies Can Set Up a Weight Loss Clinic

1. Build a Clinical Weight Loss Model

• Offer one-on-one patient consultations, including BMI assessment, goal setting, and lifestyle evaluation.

• Introduce medication‑assisted weight loss using GLP‑1 injectables like liraglutide, as well as other options like Olympia lipo shots or methylcobalamin—available at a discount through Atrium24’s GPO for Dotti members CVS Doctors’ Weight Loss Center

• Structure a program that includes in‑clinic or telehealth follow-up visits, education, and measurable progress tracking.

2. Leverage Atrium24 and Dotti Resources

• Dotti provides branded marketing materials tailored for GLP‑1 protocols and 503B partners.

• Members gain access to discounted, pharmacy‑grade injectable products, including liraglutide and other weight-loss injectables via Atrium24’s GPO network.

• Use Dotti’s task board and prescriber CRM tools to coordinate follow-up workflows and referral outreach.

3. Create a Local Practice Workflow

• Establish safe and compliant dispensing, either through in‑clinic injections or pharmacy pickup.

• Coordinate with local prescribers or telehealth providers to manage prescriptions and patient eligibility.

• Determine whether the pharmacy will compound in‑house under 503A or use outsourced 503B partners for injectable supplies.

4. Support Coaching and Patient Engagement

• Host wellness workshops or group sessions, either virtually or in person, to educate the community on weight-loss medications and lifestyle strategies.

• Offer coaching programs that combine medication guidance with nutrition, exercise, and accountability support similar to models like those at MinuteClinic® or digital platforms CVS.

5. Understand Regulatory and Safety Considerations

• Ensure GLP‑1 medications are FDA‑approved or safely compounded under regulatory standards. Unauthorized or unsafe compounding is subject to legal scrutiny Reuters locostpharmacy.com.

• Stay updated on insurance and payer trends, including pilot programs for Medicare/Medicaid coverage of obesity medications launched for 2026  The Washington Post

 

Learn from Pharmacy Pioneers

• TW Taylor and Jamie Reid of Williamsburg Drug Company have inspired Atrium24’s clinical coaching approach, especially around supplement integration and workflow development.

• Chichi Ilonzo Momah,  a valued collaborator and early pharmacy weight‑loss innovator. Her Springfield Pharmacy program features patient consultations, coaching, and personalized meal plans—demonstrating what’s possible in a well-managed coaching model.

Summary: Why Pharmacies Can Win

Opportunity	Benefit
GLP‑1 & injectable products	High‑margin, in‑demand therapy
Dotti + Atrium GPO access	Discount pricing and marketing tools
Clinics or telehealth consultations	Patient retention and repeat visits
Local workshops & coaching	Community trust and program adoption

A successful weight loss clinic requires clinical oversight, consistent patient engagement, and efficient workflow management. Atrium24 and Dotti empower pharmacies with the tools, branded content, and access to discounted injectables needed to launch effectively.