7 Ways a Pharmacist Can Help You Manage Type 2 Diabetes

From everydayhealth.com

If you have type 2 diabetes, you may already be seeing an endocrinologist, a primary care doctor, and even a dietitian. But there may be one healthcare provider you’re overlooking: a pharmacist.

“Diabetes is a complicated condition, and pharmacists are here to support you,” says Alexa Valentino, PharmD, an associate professor of clinical pharmacy at The Ohio State University College of Pharmacy in Columbus. And they can do far more than simply hand over medications. 

In fact, research shows working closely with a pharmacist can help you stick to diabetes treatment and improve overall outcomes. This was echoed in a study among Spanish-speaking adults with diabetes, in part because pharmacists were able to expand people’s access to medication assistance programs that covered additional treatments. The pharmacists also encouraged people to stay up to date on recommended health screenings.

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Whether you work with a community pharmacist or one who is part of a collaborative diabetes management team, there are benefits to knowing how they can support type 2 diabetes care. They can:

1. Provide Education on Diabetes Medications and Supplies

If you’ve ever left a diabetes checkup feeling unsure about the next steps regarding treatment, you’re not alone. A pharmacist can help fill in the blanks. 

“Your pharmacist can answer any drug-related questions you have,” says Phil Rodgers, PharmD, a professor of diabetes care and patient communication and vice chair of education in practice advancement and clinical education at the University of North Carolina Eshelman School of Pharmacy in Chapel Hill. That can include things such as:

• How diabetes medications differ and how each one works
• When and how to take certain medications
• How to properly store medication
• Which side effects can occur
• What to do if you miss a dose

“Your pharmacist can also help you select diabetes supplies, [including] glucose monitors,” says Rodgers. 

2. Spot Drug Interactions and Safety Concerns

Pharmacists are trained to catch small issues before they become larger ones. “Your pharmacist can review all of the medications and supplements you take to make sure there are no drug interactions or concerns about how they might affect your blood sugar,” says Valentino. 

Be sure to tell your pharmacist about any factors that may affect the treatment regimen, including if you:

• Experience any new symptoms or side effects, such as diarrhoea or nausea 
• Have trouble taking medications exactly as directed
• Go through any changes in your diet or overall health
• Are pregnant or breastfeeding

If you get sick or need to take other over-the counter medications, a pharmacist can also help you choose an option that won’t interfere with diabetes treatment, says Rodgers.

3. Offer Resources to Lower the Cost of Treatment

Diabetes medication can be expensive, but going without treatment can worsen your overall health and potentially lead to even costlier medical bills in the future.

A pharmacist can recommend resources that can help lower your out-of-pocket costs, says Valentino. This may include:

• Switching to generic medications
• Looking into cost-savings programs through pharmaceutical websites
• Recommending patient assistance programs through drug manufacturers 

“Pharmacists can help you understand the insurance process, too, because it can be complicated to navigate prior authorizations and figure out what’s covered,” she says. “Pharmacists do their best to help you find the most cost-effective options.”

4. Support Blood Sugar Monitoring 

Pharmacists can also help you with blood sugar monitoring, especially as you’re learning how to track and interpret results. They can:

• Discuss target blood sugar ranges
• Review how often you should test your blood sugar levels
• Teach you how to use a blood glucose meter or continuous glucose monitor
• Make sure you’re using the device correctly
• Teach you how to log or store your results and share them with your care team
• Teach you how to store test strips and other supplies
• Troubleshoot common issues, such as inaccurate readings or malfunctioning meters

Pharmacists can also help you spot trends in your blood sugar levels that may be worth mentioning to the rest of your type 2 diabetes care team.

5. Recommend Diabetes-Friendly Lifestyle Changes

“Pharmacists do a lot of education and discussion around lifestyle,” says Valentino. They can explain how exercise, food, illness, medications, and stress all have an impact on blood sugar patterns and offer practical guidance on what you can do to bring levels down again. For example:

• How to time medications to avoid postmeal blood sugar dips
• Why taking a walk after dinner can help bring blood sugar down faster
• When to add in a late-night healthy snack to make sure your blood sugar isn’t dropping too low overnight

When you meet with a pharmacist regularly, they’re often in a good position to notice patterns and encourage small, sustainable changes for better blood sugar control.

6. Suggest Preventive Care to Reduce the Risk of Complications 

It’s important to get routine preventive care when you have diabetes, and pharmacists can help you stay up to date on vaccinations, dental appointments, eye exams, and more. “There are a lot of health maintenance types of things that need to happen when you have type 2 diabetes,” says Valentino. More specifically, you may need to schedule:

• Cholesterol tests
• Dental exams
• Eye exams
• Foot exams
• Hearing tests
• Kidney tests
• Mental health support
• Routine vaccinations

By encouraging you to schedule these appointments, a pharmacist can help you be more proactive about diabetes care.

7. Relay Messages to the Rest of Your Diabetes Care Team

Pharmacists can play a key communication role with the rest of your diabetes care team. Because you’ll likely see your pharmacist more often than other healthcare providers, “Pharmacists can share insights they’re seeing … or any issues they might notice with the rest of your [healthcare providers],” says Rodgers. 

At the same time, your other healthcare providers may contact your pharmacist with questions or instructions. This back-and-forth communication allows for a more team-based approach to your care, with each healthcare provider contributing to a more complete picture of your health.

How to Communicate With Local and Mail-Order Pharmacies

Community pharmacists, such as those at a local grocery store or retail pharmacy chain, are very accessible in day-to-day life. “You can go up to the window or pharmacy counter on the spot to get the help you need,” says Rodgers. 

“There may be times when the pharmacy is busier than others,” he says, “but you can often call to ask when the best time is to drop by to address your needs.”

But even if you primarily use a mail-order or home delivery pharmacy, you still have access to support from a pharmacist. “You can ask to speak with the pharmacist over the phone,” says Valentino. 

She adds that many people who use mail-order pharmacies also have a local community pharmacy for urgent prescriptions or gap refills. That way you can still speak directly with a pharmacist about any questions or concerns you may have.

The Takeaway

• A pharmacist is a valuable member of your type 2 diabetes care team. They can teach you how to use medication correctly and make lifestyle changes to better manage your blood sugar levels, as well as recommend routine preventive screenings.
• They can also help reduce barriers to care by addressing cost, improving access to treatments, and reinforcing the importance of vaccinations and routine health maintenance. 
• Even if you use a mail-order pharmacy, there are still pharmacists available to speak with you over the phone.

https://www.everydayhealth.com/diabetes/how-pharmacists-can-help-manage-type-2-diabetes/