Dispensing practices, knowledge gaps, and educational needs of community pharmacists in Jordan regarding the use of diabetes medications for weight management

Background : Obesity is one of the most significant and prevalent diseases and is associated with multiple risk factors, such as diabetes and hypertension; these risks can be reduced through weight loss. This study aimed to evaluate the perspectives of community pharmacists regarding the dispensing, safety, and efficacy of weight-management medications and to identify knowledge gaps, safe practices, and counseling practices. Methods : A reliability-validated online survey was developed and distributed to community pharmacists in Jordan in 2025. Social media was used to distribute the survey among pharmacists. The survey was used to assess dispensing practices for weight-management medications, knowledge about adverse effects, drug interactions, safe practices, and counseling. Descriptive statistics and inferential analyses were used to analyze the data. Results : A total of 382 community pharmacists participated in the study. Approximately half of the respondents (49.7%) were practicing in Jordan’s central region. The majority of participants were female (70.7%) and held a bachelor’s degree in pharmacy or a Doctor of Pharmacy degree (93%), with a mean age of 32.23 ± 3.44 years. The results showed a notable lack of knowledge regarding the use of medications for weight management, especially the off-label use of newer antidiabetes medications for weight loss. Some pharmacists reported dispensing weight-management medications, including glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs), sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors, and dual GLP-1/glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) receptor agonists, without a prescription. Additionally, variations in awareness of the safety considerations, contraindications, and adverse effects of these medications were identified. Furthermore, the study highlighted the importance of pharmacists’ awareness in preventing and managing adverse effects. Conclusion : This study highlights the need for appropriate dispensing and counseling regarding medications used for weight management in obesity to avoid misuse and address knowledge gaps regarding these medications. Targeted educational interventions are recommended to support Jordanian community pharmacists in promoting safe dispensing practices, evidence-based counseling, and improved patient safety.