The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 272 No 7284 p112
31 January 2004

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NICE: Guidance on Type 2 diabetes — footcare (more)

Prevention and management of foot problems covered by final NICE diabetes guideline

Prevention and management of foot problems — the final part of the National Institute for Clinical Excellence guidelines on type 2 diabetes — has been published this week. The main recommendation is for people with diabetes to have their feet and lower legs examined and assessed regularly and to have a full medical examination for diabetes at least once a year.

Irene Gummerson, a community pharmacist with a special interest in diabetes, told The Journal that pharmacists can help patients avoid foot problems by offering advice opportunistically. “When a person is diagnosed with diabetes, it is a good idea for their pharmacist, on occasion, to reinforce the importance of a good footcare,” she said. She added that pharmacists should also be careful not to sell foot care products to people with diabetes without establishing the specialist advice they have been given.

NICE has issued four other clinical guidelines on the treatment and care of people with type 2 diabetes — the prevention and management of renal problems, screening for and early management of retinopathy, management of blood glucose levels, and management and control of blood pressure and blood lipid levels. The guidelines are available on the NICE website.