Pharmacist-led diabetic patient monitoring

Abstract

Objective: To assess pharmacist intervention in diabetic patients on patient compliance to medication and blood glucose self-monitoring and to evaluate patient therapeutic plans through monitoring of glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) levels. Method: Thirty type 2 diabetic patients receiving their medication through the Pharmacy of Your Choice (POYC) scheme were assessed. Patient compliance to medication and to self-blood glucose monitoring was reported before (t=0) and following pharmacist intervention (t=1). The pharmacist intervention included an educational session and distribution of a ‘Diabetes Patient Information Leaflet’. HbA1c testing was performed and patients with out-of-range values were referred. Key findings: Patient compliance to medication improved following pharmacist intervention, with 24 patients claiming to ‘rarely miss a dose’ of medication prior to the intervention (t=0), decreasing to 8 patients at t=1. At t=0, 1 patient reported to ‘never miss a dose’ of medication which increased to 22 patients at t=1. Fifteen patients reported to monitor glucose levels less than once a month at t=0, while 23 patients claimed to monitor their glucose levels on a weekly basis at t=1. The mean value for HbA1c was 6.5%. Two patients obtained HbA1c values of 7.0 and 7.1% and were referred. Conclusion: Pharmacist-led medication reviews, through monitoring of blood glucose and HbA1c levels and suggesting optimal pharmacological treatment, can help diabetic patients use their medications more effectively to achieve maximal treatment benefits. Point-of-care HbA1c testing may be an accessible means of assessing glucose control and may motivate patients who seek to monitor glycaemia more closely.