What Role Will Pharmacists Play in Diabetes Management in the Future?

In this clip, Jennifer Goldman, PharmD, CDE, BC-ADM FCCP, who is a professor of pharmacy practice at Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences School of Pharmacy, discusses with Pharmacy Times the important role that pharmacists will play in the future for managing patients with diabetes.

Dr. Goldman discussed managing diabetes with insulin/GLP-1 receptor agonist combinations during a special session held in conjunction with APhA2017.

Transcript

"I think that what I really wanted this audience and pharmacists across the country to appreciate is that this is epidemic. When we look at 1 in 3 by 2050 as a prediction of having diabetes, this is clearly a role for pharmacists. If you look at the current ADA guidelines, part of the care team that they discuss is including a pharmacist. So pharmacists have an opportunity to not just counsel patients about medications, they can also counsel patients about nutrition and correct medications.

One of the other points that has come up is clinical inertia, so if they’re speaking to their pharmacist, and the pharmacist says, “Why don’t you speak to your provider about XYZ?” We’re also seeing more and more pharmacists working within practices to help patients. So I think it’s a huge role, especially considering the sheer numbers of patients who are going to have diabetes."