MANCHESTER, England, September 11 /PRNewswire/ --



Turning to a community pharmacist for help in treating type 2 diabetes
can significantly improve patients' health, according to new research
launched at the British Pharmaceutical Conference (BPC) in Manchester.

Pharmacist Ali Al-Blowi at Bradford University investigated the impact on
health outcomes to patients with type 2 diabetes attending a diabetes clinic,
and found there were significant improvements in those patients receiving
help from a pharmacist. In many cases, patients received counselling and
education, dosage adjustments and therapeutic regimen changes, which improved
outcomes for patients.

The results showed that:

- 62% of patients reported increased knowledge about their
disease

- a third of patients reported increased satisfaction with their
treatment, and

- almost a quarter said their quality of life had improved.

Professor Henry Chrystyn, Professsor of Clinical Pharmacy at University
of Bradford said: "Our results prove that community pharmacists have become a
valuable asset in managing diabetes and that they contribute to improved
health outcomes for patients."

Around two million Britons have type 2 diabetes and an estimated
additional 700,000 have the condition and don't know it.(1) Diabetes occurs
when either the body does not produce enough insulin (a hormone that controls
blood sugar, or glucose, levels), or when the insulin that is produced does
not work properly.

The symptoms of diabetes include increased thirst, needing to urinate
often, extreme tiredness, blurred vision, weight loss, genital itching and
slow wound healing. The symptoms are less pronounced among patients with type
2 diabetes.

Pharmacists have become increasingly involved in diabetes management in
recent years. In 2004, the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain
(RPSGB) published new Practice Guidance on the Care of People with Diabetes
(incorporating "early identification" guidance), which was endorsed by the
charity, Diabetes UK.

Paul Gimson, Lead Pharmacist for Long Term Care at the RPSGB, said: "The
Government strategy Choosing Health Through Pharmacy, and the National
Diabetes Support Team have also previously recognised pharmacy as a vital
network for supporting public health in the area of diabetes.

"The RPSGB continues to urge health commissioners to consider the
potential benefit of pharmacy when designing services, and encourages the
public to consider the advice their pharmacist can provide in identifying and
supporting their management of diabetes."

The British Pharmaceutical Conference Press Office (September 10, 11 and
    12 only)

    Tel: +44-(0)161-839-9170

    Tel: +44-(0)161-839-9173

    Tel: +44-(0)161-839-9164

    Tel: +44-(0)161-832-2023

    Tel: +44-(0)161-832-1090

    Mobile: +44-(0)7739-533-658

    ISDN: +44-(0)161-833-4751



Notes to editors

34 patients with type 2 diabetes were recruited and 28 (12 study and 16
control) completed the study. Their mean age was 59 years. 71% were South
Asians.

Patients were randomly placed in control and study research groups.
Control patients received the usual care offered by the clinic, the study
patients received special pharmaceutical care plans which were reviewed by a
pharmacists at three, six and 12 months.

In most cases, type 2 diabetes is linked with being overweight and
usually occurs in people over the age of 40. People of South Asian and
African-Caribbean decent often develop type 2 diabetes after the age of 25.
Recently, more children are being diagnosed with the condition, some as young
as seven. A results table is available on request.

The British Pharmaceutical Conference - entitled "The medicines maze:
balancing risks and benefits" 
(http://www.healthlinks-events-bpc2007.co.uk/monday.htm) 
- takes place from 10th to 12th September, 2007, at Manchester Central 
(formerly Manchester International Convention Centre). The theme of BPC 
2007 is reflected throughout the programme, with keynote speeches and 
workshops addressing crucial technical and professional issues that are 
facing pharmacy today. The conference will showcase the latest 
developments in pharmaceutical science and practice research and include 
discussion and debate led by expert speakers.

References

(1). Diabetes UK (website reference)