Dietary plans and products offered by pharmacies have been condemned in a new report by a consumer advocacy group.
An undercover investigation by Choice claimed dietary consultants in pharmacies were poorly trained, provided “inadequate” information and tried to cajole patients into paying for extra products.
The survey, which involved three undercover investigators visiting 21 pharmacies offering seven different dietary plans, claimed weight loss plans failed to deal effectively with broader issues such as obesity, and questioned the qualifications of pharmacy consultants.
According to the investigation, most of the consultants failed to look into factors such as medical history, exercise levels, diet and previous weight loss methods.
Most plans under the spotlight charged joining fees of between $20 and $30 and included meal replacement products that cost more that $40.
The investigators claimed pharmacy consultants tried to "up sell" additional vitamin, fibre and mineral needs.
According to the report, a panel of dietitians and nutritionists that Choice convened to assess the findings condemned consultants' the lack of training, which ranged from six hours to two days.
"We place a great deal of trust in our local pharmacists and Choice is concerned that the advice and support consumers are receiving about quick-fix diet programs is manifestly inadequate," Choice spokesman Christopher Zinn said.
"Consumers are being sold a 'one-size-fits-all' solution, and it's highly questionable whether it is enough to help those who are looking to overcome weight problems in the long-term."
Pharmaceutical Society of Australia vice president Shane Jackson said a uniform accreditation of consultants could be "very useful".
"It would ensure an appropriate minimum standard in community pharmacies because then we can say to organisations and governments and the public that this is a minimum standard of training you can expect," Mr Jackson said.
"Some onus goes on the pharmacy owners and managers to ensure that the products they offer are evidence-based."
Guild national president Kos Sclavos, however, called the Choice investigation "unfair and misleading".
"Where we see inconsistencies with the Choice report is that it infers that these products should have been sold under the supervision of pharmacists," Mr Sclavos said.
"These products are sold in supermarkets and health food shops and they are well and truly known as not being scheduled medicines."