An estimated 1.8 million Canadians are currently living with diabetes and that number that is rapidly growing. Chronic diseases, like diabetes, put a huge burden on the Canadian health care system and the direct costs to the system, from diabetes alone, are expected to exceed $15 billion by next year.

Pharmacists play an important role in diabetes management and are positioned to take on even greater responsibilities. With approximately 22,000 community pharmacists across Canada, pharmacists are the most accessible health care professional. Along with family physicians, specialists, nurses, dietitians and other health care providers, pharmacists provide a wealth of knowledge and guidance to those living with diabetes.

The Canadian Pharmacists Association (CPhA) is leading the Diabetes Strategy for Pharmacists by providing pharmacists with the knowledge and resources to assume more effective roles in the collaborative management of this chronic disease. The Strategy includes:

- A diabetes supplement to the March/April 2009 issue of the Canadian Pharmacists Journal, providing pharmacy practice guidelines and tips to help pharmacists apply the Canadian Diabetes Association 2008 Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Prevention and Management of Diabetes in Canada specifically to pharmacy practice.

- Online and live workshop training programs to enhance the care pharmacists can provide to patients in diabetes management.

- Diabetes Pharmacist Champions located across Canada to act as spokespersons, leaders and facilitators of the live workshops in their region. Each brings unique experiences and personal devotion to diabetes education and the promotion of the pharmacy profession.

“Pharmacists are an integral part of the health care team that patients with diabetes can turn to for help in managing their diabetes,” says Janet Bradshaw, certified diabetes educator and Champion. “We play a front-line role in helping people with diabetes manage their condition as well as educate them in prevention and health promotion.”

The Champions are true leaders who will motivate and inspire other pharmacists across the country to make a real difference in the lives of their patients with diabetes. The Champions are also available upon request to facilitate the live version of the training program.

November is national diabetes awareness month-take charge of your diabetes and talk to your pharmacist about management of this chronic disease.

The Diabetes Strategy for Pharmacists was funded in part by the Public Health Agency of Canada through the Canadian Diabetes Strategy. For more information, please visit http://www.pharmacists.ca/diabetes or http://www.diabetespharmacists.ca.

The Canadian Pharmacists Association advocates for pharmacists and supports its members to advance the profession and enhance patient outcomes. CPhA is committed to a Vision for Pharmacy of “optimal drug therapy outcomes for Canadian through patient-centred care” and is leading the Diabetes Strategy for Pharmacists as one way of contributing to this Vision.

The training provided through the Diabetes Strategy for Pharmacists is accredited by CPhA. CPhA is an accredited provider and leading source of high quality CE for pharmacists.

Source
Canadian Pharmacists Association

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