Individualized patient health management by pharmacists produces dramatic improvement in managing diabetes

A recent study in the U.K demonstrates that interventions by a pharmacist, as part of a health team, significantly improve results for patients with poorly controlled Type II diabetes. The pharmacist intervention consisted of a one hour education and medications management visit and monthly follow-up telephone contact that emphasized self-care screening for complications and proper use of medications. Status updates through periodic reviews were provided to physicians.

The results demonstrate that relatively simple and cost-effective interventions by a pharmacist can have significant results in improving health outcomes. On average, the diabetic patient participating in this study had a decrease in HAb1C levels of 2.1%. It is estimated that in the U.K a 1 % decrease in HAb1C levels results in a 21% decrease in the risk of death from diabetes complications. The results from this study reinforce similar conclusions from earlier similar studies that diabetes disease management saves money and improves outcomes.