Pharmacist-Led Diabetes Management Programs in Hispanic Communities

Pharmacists and pharmacies are increasingly essential to managing various conditions, including cardiovascular disease, asthma, HIV, and diabetes. A Research in Social and Administrative Pharmacy study states pharmacists are among the most easily accessible healthcare providers. Patients interact with pharmacists frequently, as up to 80% of medical treatments include medications. This provides a convenient opportunity to offer medication consultation and condition management education. Many studies have shown increased quality of life and positive health outcomes when patients participate in pharmacist-led interventions.

While many communities can benefit from the implementation of pharmacist-led intervention programs, research has shown a significant improvement in diabetes management in Hispanic communities. Hispanic patients are more likely to experience diabetes-related complications than non-Hispanic patients, according to a recent study in the Journal of the American Medical Association Network Open. The authors found that pharmacists could help design personalized condition management protocols by monitoring vital signs, reviewing lab results, and examining barriers to treatment adherence. Patients experienced improved HbA1c outcomes, even if they only interacted with a pharmacist once.

Molecular Testing Labs offers self-collection diagnostic testing options that could be deployed in pharmacist-led programs nationwide. Our HbA1c test on dried blood spot samples recently earned National Glycohemoglobin Standardization Program (NGSP) Level 1 Laboratory certification, making us one of only two labs to have achieved this standard internationally. We are also a leading lab in the country for hepatitis C (HCV) viral load detection. Our infectious disease lab has developed a method to perform quantitative HCV testing on dried blood spot samples. We are committed to bridging the gap between communities by offering accessible and affordable testing for all.

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References

1. Newman, T.V., San-Juan-Rodriguez, A., Parekh, N., et al. (2020). Impact of community pharmacist-led interventions in chronic disease management on clinical, utilization, and economic outcomes: An umbrella review. Research in Social and Administrative Pharmacy, 16(9), 1155-1165. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31959565/
2. Eldooma I, Maatoug M, Yousif M. (2023). Outcomes of Pharmacist-Led Pharmaceutical Care Interventions Within Community Pharmacies: Narrative Review. Integrated Pharmacy Research and Practice, 12, 113-126. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10198268/
3. Narain, K.D.C, Moreno, G., Bell, D.S. et al. (2023). Pharmacist-Led Diabetes Control Intervention and Health Outcomes in Hispanic Patients With Diabetes. JAMA Network Open, 6(9), e2335409. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2809956#:~:text=Pharmacist%2Dled%20intervention%2C%20a%20delivery,among%20Hispanic%20patients%20with%20T2D.