01 Apr 2010
The National Pharmacy Association (NPA) and the Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS), in close collaboration with the Department of Health have developed a resource to support community pharmacies improve the care of people with diabetes.
‘Integrating community pharmacy into the care of people with diabetes’ is the new practical resource to support pharmacists and their teams to improve the care of people with diabetes. The guidance was developed by the RPS and NPA, in close collaboration with the Department of Health, in particular, Dr Rowan Hillson MBE, the National Clinical Director for Diabetes, the diabetes policy team and the Medicines, Pharmacy and Industry Group.
Diabetes affects nearly one in twenty adults. It is life-long condition and can be life-shortening. However, it is believed that between a third and a half of all medicines prescribed for long-term conditions are not taken as recommended.
Community pharmacists and their teams play a central role in the daily life of people with diabetes and can in particular help patients’ improve adherence to medicines and hence improve their long term health outcomes.
The Pharmacy White Paper recognised that the whole pharmacy team can contribute to the care of people with long term conditions and highlighted the important contribution that pharmacy can make to improving health by focusing on prevention as well as treatment.
Heidi Wright, RPS English Practice and Policy Lead said: “This is a practical resource and guidance for effective contribution of pharmacy within an integrated team of health professionals. Community pharmacists and their teams have a vital role in the daily life of people with long term conditions and we look forward to seeing increasing involvement of the pharmacy team in the care of people with diabetes.”
Margaret Peycke NPA External Relations Manager said: "Community pharmacists are well positioned to support people living with a variety of long term conditions, including diabetes. This document highlights the rich potential in pharmacy. It is intended to make it that little bit easier to commission and deliver services to people with diabetes."
‘Integrating community pharmacy into the care of people with diabetes’ resource provides information on prevention; early diagnosis of diabetes; initial assessment and management; ongoing care and preventing or delaying complications. It will also help pharmacists proactively raise awareness of the contribution that they can make to the care of people with diabetes.
For more information please click here.
