Endocrine Abstracts

Objective: Of this study is to evaluate if a pharmaceutical care program could improve glycaemic control in patients with diabetes.

Aim: The aims of the study are: i) to reinforce the lifestyle advice given to patients with diabetes at annual and other reviews. ii) to improve glycaemic control in patients with diabetes and improve patients adherence to medication. iii) to encourage participation to structured group education for diabetes patients.

Setting: This study was conducted in a community pharmacy in the city of Lezhe, in northwestern Albania.

Method: This project evaluates the pharmacist’s interventions during a prospective randomized controlled trial, from September 2012 to May 2013. Patients with diagnose of diabetes mellitus type 2, regular customers of the pharmacy were allocated in a random way either to a control group or to an intervention group during a 9-month period). The pharmacist interventions, tried to increase medication adherence and glycaemic control in these patients, involved diabetes education sessions and counseling directed to the patient.

Results: A total of 120 diabetic patients were randomly assigned to the study (60 in the control group and 60 in the intervention group). Although there were no significant differences in both groups, at the end of the study, glycaemic control was higher in the intervention group (P=0.005). Medication adherence was also higher in the intervention group at the end of the study. There was also a decrease in the blood pressure in the intervention group.

Conclusion: Pharmacist intervention can significantly improve medication adherence and glycaemic control in patients with diabetes. Community pharmacists are valuable members of multidisciplinary health care teams in the management of patients with diabetes. Pharmacist interventions can improve medication adherence and reduce HbA1c values.