Evidence section
Canadian guidelines and cost studies
Two pharmacists registered and practising in British Columbia read this page against the study pages and papers it lists and signed it. Their names are withheld from the site and held on file; their registration is confirmed on request.
This hub covers the Canadian documents that shape care: the Obesity Canada adult guideline and its 2025 update on medicines, the Diabetes Canada chapter on weight management, and two Canadian economic models that estimate the cost of treatment per year of healthy life gained. Guidelines are expert interpretation; cost models depend on their assumptions. The pages say what each document is and what could and could not be extracted from it.
Studies in this section (6)
Diabetes Canada's 2018 chapter on weight management in diabetes
What we can and cannot say about the 2018 Diabetes Canada guideline chapter on weight management in diabetes, based on the published record.
Not yet publishedObesity Canada's 2020 clinical practice guideline for adults
What the published record shows about Obesity Canada's 2020 adult clinical practice guideline in CMAJ, and what our review could not check.
Not yet publishedA 2024 Canadian cost-effectiveness model of weight-loss medicines
A 2024 Canadian economic model estimated the cost per quality-adjusted life year of four weight-loss medicines versus diet and exercise, explained plainly.
A 2025 Canadian cost model of surgery, medicines and behavioural care
A 2025 Canadian economic model compared bariatric surgery, semaglutide, tirzepatide and behavioural care for adults with class III obesity. Plain summary.
The 2025 Canadian guideline update on medicines for obesity in adults
Plain-language summary of the 2025 Canadian clinical practice guideline update on medicines for obesity in adults, published in CMAJ by Obesity Canada.
The 2025 Canadian obesity medicine guideline, French edition
The French-language edition of the 2025 Canadian clinical practice guideline on medicines for obesity in adults, and how it relates to the English version.
Not yet publishedOther evidence sections
How to read these pages
Every page in this section explains one published study. The numbers are reported as the researchers published them, with a link to the paper on PubMed. Pages say what a study cannot tell you and never rank one medicine against another. They are education, not medical advice. For how a medicine is used and paid for in Canada, see medicines, public drug coverage by province and compare services.
Reviewed and signed by two pharmacists registered in British Columbia, 2026-09-18.