Weight Loss Wales at Obesity Week 2026: Refill Timings and Treatment Adherence in GLP-1 Therapy

This is the third of three posts covering the original research posters presented by Dr Alun Davies of Weight Loss Wales at Obesity Week 2026 in Washington DC on 13 November 2026.

Adherence: the hidden determinant of treatment outcomes

In clinical trials, treatment adherence is carefully monitored and supported. Participants receive regular contact with research staff, structured follow-up appointments, and often financial or logistical support that removes barriers to consistent treatment. In real-world clinical practice, none of these conditions apply — and adherence to long-term pharmacotherapy is substantially lower than trial data suggest.

For GLP-1 receptor agonist therapy, adherence is particularly important. These agents work by maintaining a sustained pharmacological effect on appetite regulation, gastric emptying, and energy homeostasis. Gaps in treatment — whether due to delayed refills, supply issues, or patient disengagement — can interrupt this effect and compromise outcomes. Understanding the real-world patterns of treatment adherence, and their relationship to clinical outcomes, is therefore a question of direct practical importance.

What the third poster examines

The third poster presented by Dr Davies at Obesity Week 2026 uses prescription refill timing as a proxy measure of treatment adherence in patients managed through Weight Loss Wales. Refill intervals — the time between successive prescriptions — provide an objective, routinely collected indicator of whether patients are taking their medication consistently, and whether gaps in treatment are occurring.

The analysis examines the relationship between refill timing patterns and weight loss outcomes across the Weight Loss Wales patient cohort. It asks:

• What proportion of patients experience significant gaps in refill timing — and how are these distributed across the patient population?
• Is there a measurable relationship between refill timing consistency and weight loss outcomes?
• Are there identifiable patient characteristics or clinical circumstances associated with delayed refills?
• What do these findings suggest about the design of remote obesity services to optimise adherence?

The role of digital-first, high-touch care

Weight Loss Wales operates a fully digital model — consultations are conducted remotely, and ongoing patient support is delivered through WhatsApp, text messaging, and email. This model is not simply a logistical convenience; it is a deliberate clinical strategy designed to maintain the kind of continuous, low-friction contact that supports adherence in long-term pharmacotherapy.

The refill timing data provide an opportunity to evaluate whether this model is achieving its intended effect. If high-touch digital engagement is associated with more consistent refill timing and better outcomes, this provides evidence-based support for the remote, digitally-enabled approach to obesity care — and for the investment in patient engagement infrastructure that makes it possible.

Why this matters beyond Weight Loss Wales

The findings from this poster have implications that extend well beyond a single clinic. As GLP-1 receptor agonist therapy becomes more widely available — and as NHS commissioning of obesity pharmacotherapy expands — the question of how to support adherence at scale becomes increasingly important. Real-world data on refill timing patterns and their clinical correlates provide a foundation for designing adherence support systems that are evidence-based rather than intuitive.

Presenting this work at Obesity Week 2026 — alongside researchers from academic medical centres across North America, Europe, and beyond — places the Weight Loss Wales dataset in the global conversation about how to optimise real-world outcomes in obesity pharmacotherapy.

The full poster is available to download from our Advice for Clinicians page. Healthcare professionals are welcome to contact Dr Davies directly to discuss the data or our CPD training. Patients can book a consultation with Weight Loss Wales today.