The role of the dispensary pharmacist in the screening and referring patients with eating disorders

Eating disorders (EDs) affect around 14% of the French population, and represent a major public health issue due to their high morbidity and mortality. Insufficient and often late screening of ED leads to treatment at an advanced stage, with reduced efficacy, a prolonged course and negative medicosocial and financial consequences. Pharmacists can play a useful role in the screening and care of EDs. Indeed, patients with ED often have a high level of health care consumption due to the high frequency of their multiple symptoms and associated comorbidities, and a high propensity for self-medication, which frequently brings them to the pharmacy. The aim of this review is to highlight the role of the pharmacist in the screening for EDs and in the support of patients in the pharmacy, by proposing: key elements of semiology and pathophysiology; alerts for identifying at-risk patients; advice on language and attitude for the pharmaceutical interview in order to create a therapeutic alliance and facilitate acceptance of screening, notably with the help of validated digital tools, whether or not the patient initially requests it; advice on symptom care and orientation towards a care pathway. In this way, the dispensary pharmacist can play a very useful role in the earlier screening and support of patients with ED, as part of a multidisciplinary team providing comprehensive ED care.(c) 2023 Societe fran-cophone nutrition clinique et metabolisme (SFNCM). Published by Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.