Our Family of Pharmacists

Meet our team

A family of pharmacists.
The people behind Cookie Diet Australia.

We’re Magdy, George and Mariam Iskander — a family of pharmacists with experience across community pharmacy, hospital pharmacy and the pharmaceutical industry. Together, we’re involved in selecting and curating every OzHealth Pharma product, including Dr. Siegal’s Cookie Diet.

Magdy Iskander

Magdy Iskander

Pharmacist & founder of OzHealth Pharma

Over 40 years in pharmacy

Founded OzHealth Pharma in 2010, bringing decades of pharmacy and pharmaceutical industry experience to the company’s product selection.

More about Magdy

Magdy graduated from Cairo University before completing his transition studies at the University of Sydney. His career includes work with MSD, Pfizer and Sigma.

He has also contributed to pharmacy education as a volunteer tutor and marker for a postgraduate pharmacy training course at the University of Sydney, and was a member of the University of Sydney Pharmacy Foundation.

As OzHealth Pharma’s founder, Magdy works alongside George and Mariam in selecting and curating the company’s entire product range.

George Iskander

George Iskander

Pharmacist · Community & industry

Over 15 years in pharmacy

Part of OzHealth Pharma since his second year at university, George has been involved in every one of the company’s product launches.

More about George

A University of Sydney graduate, George has worked in both community pharmacy and the pharmaceutical industry. He began his involvement with OzHealth Pharma while studying, building his experience alongside the company’s development.

His work across product launches and community pharmacy brings together experience introducing products to market and understanding the questions customers ask in everyday practice.

George works with Magdy and Mariam to select and curate all OzHealth Pharma products.

Mariam Iskander

Mariam Iskander

Pharmacist · Community & hospital

20 years in pharmacy

Mariam brings experience across community and hospital pharmacy, and currently works at Sydney Children’s Hospital in Randwick.

More about Mariam

Mariam graduated from the University of Sydney and has built her career across both community and hospital pharmacy settings.

Her experience spans the everyday needs of people visiting their local pharmacy and the care provided in a hospital environment. She currently works in hospital pharmacy at Sydney Children’s Hospital, Randwick.

Alongside Magdy and George, Mariam is involved in selecting and curating all OzHealth Pharma products.

Why we chose it

A doctor’s idea.
A practical daily routine.

Dr. Siegal’s Cookie Diet was developed by physician Dr. Sanford Siegal in 1975 and first offered through his medical practice before becoming available more widely.

That medical background was an important part of why we chose to bring the program into the OzHealth Pharma range. We also valued its straightforward approach: portioned cookies during the day, a balanced evening meal and a separate maintenance phase.

As pharmacists, we appreciate a plan that is easy to understand and can fit into everyday life. Its aim is to make a reduced-calorie eating routine easier to follow, while helping people practise habits they can carry into maintenance.

Three things we value about the approach

01 / STRUCTURE

Planned portions

Regular, portioned snacks provide a clear routine and are intended to help manage hunger while following the program.

02 / SIMPLICITY

Less daily planning

Convenient cookies during the day and one balanced dinner make the weight-loss phase straightforward to organise.

03 / MAINTENANCE

A plan for what comes next

The maintenance phase builds on meal preparation and regular activity, with a return to three balanced meals a day.

How the two phases fit together

A structured start, followed by a routine for maintaining your progress.

01   Weight-loss phase9 cookies throughout the day + a balanced dinner

The program uses nine cookies per day, divided into one or two cookies approximately every two hours during the day, followed by dinner. Follow the directions supplied with your pack.

  • Dinner: the program suggests 250 g of lean meat with salad or vegetables. Check the program’s dinner guidance for preparation, alternatives and appropriate portions.
  • Movement: light activity, such as a 20–30 minute walk two or three times a week, is the program’s suggested starting point, where appropriate for your health and fitness.
  • The habit: practise preparing a balanced evening meal and following a planned eating routine.

Weight loss depends on reducing overall energy intake relative to energy used. The purpose of regular snacks is to make the routine manageable; eating every two hours does not itself guarantee faster metabolism or weight loss.

02   Maintenance phaseThree balanced meals + planned snacks and regular activity

After reaching an appropriate goal weight, the program moves to a balanced breakfast, lunch and dinner, with one or two cookies between meals as needed within your overall eating plan.

This phase builds on the meal preparation and activity habits practised during weight loss. Cookies can provide a planned sweet snack, while balanced meals and suitable portions remain central to the routine.

The program suggests gradually increasing activity to 30–40 minutes, two or three times per week, according to your ability. This is a starting framework, rather than the full physical activity recommendation for every adult.

For meal inspiration, explore The Cookie Diet Cookbook.

Results and hunger levels vary. Speak with your doctor before starting a low-calorie program, especially if you take medicines or have a medical condition. Your plan should suit your individual health and nutritional needs.