While many people may take to help curb their symptoms, researchers indicate that pharmacists are looking to improve diabetic care in addition to cutting costs.
A study from the University at Buffalo (UB) School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences indicates that by improving the hemoglobin A1C measurement, or the amount of excess glucose in blood, diabetic patients can keep their illness in control, reducing the risk of complications such as vision loss or kidney disease.
The researchers took 50 patients suffering from type 2 diabetes and noted that pharmacists were able to provide care that helped lower the A1C measurement by an average of 1.1 percent over a one-year period.
Scientists believe the reason for this was that the pharmacists were available to the patients for the whole year. Some physicians have problems prescribing the correct medications to lower blood sugar, resulting in different medication trials, whereas pharmacists may have a better handle on what works.
“We know theres a long-term clinical and economic benefit to pharmacists working directly with patients and we think that can continue to grow,” said Scott Monte, UB clinical assistant professor of pharmacy practice. “Pharmacists can help achieve better outcomes if given the chance.”