Pharmacists improve outcomes for patients with diabetes
Pharmacists can help to reduce hyperglycaemia and blood pressure in patients with type I diabetes, independently of changes to patients’ medication, an Australian study has shown (Diabetes Care 2005;28:771).
Researchers studied the impact of a 12-month community-based pharmaceutical
care programme designed to detect, prevent and solve drug-related problems
in people with diabetes. Patients were assessed by a clinical pharmacist
at baseline, by telephone at six-week intervals and in face-to-face meetings
at six and 12 months.
The researchers found that reductions in body mass index, blood pressure,
fasting plasma glucose and HbA1c were greater in the patients in the
pharmaceutical care programme than in the group of control subjects (P<=0.043).
The latter only had their blood pressure measured, fasting biochemical
tests performed and lifestyle issues reinforced at six-month reviews.
The authors say that the programme could be modified for use elsewhere. “Community
pharmacists should also be able to adapt aspects of our pharmaceutical
care model to their circumstances,” they add.
Community pilot A pilot of a pharmacist-run diabetes
management service based in a GP surgery in Darlington is being launched
this week. The project is an extension of a secondary care clinic
run by hospital pharmacist Labib Tadros. GPs at the surgery will
refer patients to Dr Tadros, who will give patients advice on treatment
adjustments, meal planning and exercise. Clinics will be run once
a week for a year.
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