IJPP 2003, 11: 161-168
© 2003 Int J Pharm Pract
Received December 23, 2002
Accepted June 23, 2003
DOI 10.1211/0022357021990
ISSN 0961-7671


Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Ajman University of Science and Technology, United Arab Emirates

Abduelmula R. Abduelkarem, assistant professor of clinical pharmacy

Pharmacy Practice Department, Sunderland School of Pharmacy, University of Sunderland, England

Mike Sackville, head of pharmacy school

Rae Morgan, reader in pharmacy practice and therapeutics

Margaret Sackville, senior lecturer in pharmacy practice

Sunderland Royal Hospital, England

Anthony J. Hildreth, medical statistician

Correspondence: Mr Abduelkarem, Pharmacy Practice Department, Fleming Building, University of Sunderland, England SR1 3SD
E-mail: Karem1961@hotmail.com

Original Papers

Views and practices of community pharmacists regarding services for people with type 2 diabetes

Abduelmula R. Abduelkarem, Mike A. Sackville, Rae M. Morgan, Margaret P. Sackville and Anthony J. Hildreth

Abstract
Objective To describe the views and practices of community pharmacists regarding services for people with type 2 diabetes.

Method A cross-sectional questionnaire survey of a convenience sample of 317 community pharmacists in the North East of England. The 26-item questionnaire covered the setting of the pharmacy, dispensing medication, and the pharmacist’s role in the primary prevention of diabetes, detecting undiagnosed diabetes and prevention of complications.

Key findings There was a 51% response rate. More than 80% of respondents reported that they saw patients with diabetes “very often” or “often” when they collected their prescriptions, but three-quarters reported that they “never/rarely” or only “sometimes” advised patients what to expect from their medication and gave information to help them have a better understanding of their disease. More than 90% of the pharmacists believed that a healthy lifestyle is important, but the majority were “never/rarely” or only “sometimes” involved in its promotion. Around 10 per cent of the respondents reported that they “often” or “very often” promoted regular eye examinations. Home blood glucose monitoring was promoted by 50% of the respondents. The majority reported that they checked prescriptions for drug interactions.

Conclusion This study found that community pharmacists’ advice and services to people with type 2 diabetes fell short of the standards and objectives set out in the National Service Framework for Diabetes. Our findings can be used to promote discussion in the profession and with stakeholders about the future role of the community pharmacist in diabetes care.