Educating Patients About GLP-1s: Q&A with Kristen Hartzell, PharmD

GLP-1s are some of the most popular medications in the world today. The drugs have a variety on beneficial uses, but they are primarily known as weight-loss medications.

While the drugs have been successful and pharma and biotech companies continue to innovate new formulas and delivery systems, specialists and experts are calling out rising issues with the drugs. Primarily, with people using the medications for weight-loss, the result isn’t always healthy. GLP-1 users may shed pounds, but they may end up doing so in an unhealthy way.

In a recent interview with Pharmaceutical Executive, president of US human pharma operations at Boehringer Ingelheim Brian Hilberdink discussed how success with GLP-1s needs to focus less on the numbers of pounds lost as the main indicator of success. Instead, he says that overall metabolic health should be the main measurement.

This is just one area where patients appear to be under-educated about GLP-1s. The drugs also have complex and confusing status on insurance plans, with some plans only covering the medications for certain indications and others not covering them at all.

Pharmaceutical Executive spoke with Kristen Hartzell, Pharm D, VP of clinical services at RedSail Technologies, about the current GLP-1 landscape in relation to patient education. She also discussed potential areas where the industry can reach patients and improve their awareness of GLP-1s.

Pharmaceutical Executive: How well are patients educated when it comes to GLP-1s?
Kristen Hartzell: Widespread attention for GLP-1s through news coverage, social media, celebrity endorsements, and word of mouth has increased awareness of these medications significantly over the past few years. But awareness doesn’t always translate into credible information and opinions. As a result, many patients are starting conversations with their physician or pharmacist already interested in these therapies, even though they may not fully understand how the medications work, who they're appropriate for, the potential side effects, or the lifestyle changes needed for long-term success.

Patients today have access to information from many different sources, including healthcare providers, pharmacy teams, manufacturer websites, weight management programs, and direct-to-patient models. While this greater access to information is a positive development, the quality and accuracy of those resources can vary. That makes it increasingly important for physicians and pharmacists to help patients separate evidence-based guidance from anecdotal experiences and ensure they have the information needed to make informed decisions about whether GLP-1 therapy is right for them.

PE: How can education for GLP-1s be improved?
Hartzell: First, education from manufacturers and healthcare organizations should always be accessible to patients to ensure they are receiving healthcare information from a trusted source. From there, the education for GLP-1s itself can be improved by continuing to encourage patients to ask their primary health care providers, such as physicians and pharmacists, questions so they feel empowered to make decisions for themselves based on the knowledge and information they’ve gained. Pharmacists can then help patients interpret the information they have on GLP-1s and put it in the context of the patient's medical history, as well as keep track of all medications and confirm they are on record with patients’ primary providers.

PE: What are the most common questions that pharmacists get for GLP-1s?
Hartzell: Some common questions that pharmacists get about GLP-1s include how quickly they will lose weight, what foods they should avoid when taking their GLP-1, and if they can stop taking it after reaching their goals. Each patient’s medical history is different, which means these are all valid questions that patients should be asking their provider since the answer might vary from patient to patient. One main concern I've fielded questions about is the side effects of GLP-1s, specifically the tolerance of the GI symptoms. Pharmacists remain a trusted source of information to help patients navigate starting GLP-1s, including proper injection techniques, how to monitor and manage side effects, and education on the importance of combining lifestyle modifications with GLP-1 therapy to ensure the best long-term results for the patient's goals.

These conversations highlight why pharmacists are becoming an increasingly important part of chronic disease management. Rather than simply dispensing medication, they're helping patients build confidence in therapy, identify barriers to adherence, and understand how medication fits within broader lifestyle changes. That ongoing relationship often leads to better engagement because patients know they have a trusted resource they can turn to as new questions arise.

PE: Which channels are most effective for reaching patients with accurate GLP-1 information?
Hartzell: The most effective channel for reaching patients really comes down to whichever one the patient prefers and consistently comes back to. There is not a single best way for patients to be given information, as everyone learns, retains, and interprets information differently. Therefore, this can become a challenge for healthcare providers and industry partners to provide education and information in a variety of different formats and delivery methods to retain patients and keep them adhering to their care plans. For some patients, their preferred method of receiving information may be through reading materials provided by a website or those prompted in an application. For others, they require a direct conversation with a prescriber or pharmacist to fully educate and understand medications and ask follow up questions live. Providing options to receive information is important to accommodate the many different ways individuals take in information.

It’s also critical to keep consistency in messaging across channels. After a patient has received the initial information via their preferred method, they may receive reminders through a pharmacy app and need to follow up with their pharmacist when questions arise. There are multiple touchpoints in this process, and it is important that each step reinforces the same key information so patients are more likely to understand and retain the guidance.

PE: What is the industry’s responsibility when it comes to GLP-1 education?
Hartzell: The healthcare industry’s responsibility for providing GLP-1 education is to facilitate access to information in a variety of ways. Knowing that providers can be the source of direct conversation and communication, having them share reminders and prompts within systems can help keep those conversations going. In addition, they can provide the patient with information directly via websites, apps, notifications, and messages. As each new channel or individual interacts with the patient, whether provider, pharmacist, or pharma company, they’re responsible for playing a role in supporting consistent education that empowers patients rather than overwhelms them.