Pharmacist-Managed Diabetes Programs: Improving Treatment Adherence and Patient Outcomes

Abstract

The health and economic burden of diabetes mellitus across the United States and the world is such that effective care is crucial to improving outcomes, including macro and microvascular complications, and lowering health care costs. Pharmacists are well placed within communities to provide the critical care necessary for patients with diabetes and have a unique skillset that has demonstrated clear benefits in clinical and non-clinical outcomes. Here, we will provide a narrative review of the literature including the role of the pharmacist in different care models, outcomes associated with pharmacist care, and future directions and opportunities for pharmacist-managed diabetes.

Functions of mHealth Diabetes Apps That Enable the Provision of Pharmaceutical Care: Criteria Development and Evaluation of Popular Apps

“…Pharmacists have successfully initiated various pharmaceutical care programs for patients with diabetes by implementing pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions [29,58]. Their success has become even more critical in the post-pandemic era in relation to lowering the risks of diabetes-related acute complications and subsequent hospitalizations [59].…”

“…However, diabetes apps may lack some important functions, such as withinapp interactions with HCPs and/or pharmacists, that could enhance the provision of pharmaceutical care. The inclusion of pharmaceutical care functions in diabetes apps is important, as they could enhance the development of individualized pharmaceutical care plans, thereby improving patient outcomes, as has been shown with the implementation of other pharmacist interventions in diabetes care [29][30][31][32]. The general technological functions of diabetes apps are also important, as are the functions that pertain to the preferences of the individual patient.…”

Cost-Effectiveness of Pharmacist Care in Diabetes Management: A Systematic Review

“…The American Diabetes Association’s consensus on self-management education for patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) highlights the crucial role of pharmacists as integral members of the diabetes care team [ 4 ]. Interestingly, in the USA, pharmacists can acquire prescription privileges through collaborative drug therapy management agreements, enabling them to initiate, discontinue, or modify drug treatment plans [ 7 ]. Pharmacists can deliver personalized education on medication timing, administration, and adherence while considering the intricacy of medication regimens and the risks associated with polypharmacy and poor adherence in patients with diabetes.…”

The Effect of a Pharmacist-Intervention Program on Clinical Outcomes in Diabetes Mellitus Patients

“…A discussion of medications intended to promote patients' awareness of the condition and adherence to treatment illustrates a pharmacist-led diabetes care service. 8 The position of the chemist has undergone tremendous transformation over the years. There is a remarkable transition from purely dispensing to offering clinical services that involve patient education, hands-on patient care, and team-based chronic illness management.…”