Background: Proper management of diabetes requires a set of preventive and therapeutics measures that include proper diet, regular exercise, monitoring of blood glucose and insulin administration however, significant counseling and education of patients are required to be provided by pharmacists if patients are fasting. Objectives: This study investigated pharmacists' knowledge and practices towards diabetes management during the month of Ramadan. Methods: A cross sectional pre-validated questionnaire-based study was carried out among pharmacists practicing in hospital settings and pharmaceutical industry pharmacists. Data were collected from June 2015 to November 2015. The questionnaire covered: a) demographics, b) knowledge of diabetic risk factors and c) knowledge of blood glucose levelssuch as normal, diagnostic, target levels require during fasting and during complications. Results: 288 pharmacists participated in the study; 69.1% were practicing pharmacists and 30.9% were industrial pharmacists. The majority qualified as Pharm D (70.5%) and most respondents (85.5%) have experience ranging between 1 to 5 years. A significant difference has been found between practicing pharmacists and industrial pharmacists regarding knowledge of diabetes risk factors, complications, normal and target blood glucose levels. The mean knowledge score for industrial pharmacist was higher than hospital and clinical pharmacists [9.5 (3.4) versus 6.8 (2.7); p<0.05]. Conclusion: The barriers that hinder the role of pharmacists in Pakistan should be addressed especially for practicing pharmacists. Initiation of education and training programs related to diabetic care for practicing pharmacists is required on urgent basis. Pre-Ramadan training is essential to enable pharmacists to counsel fasting diabetic patients effectively.
Key-words:
Diabetes management - hospital and clinical pharmacists - Ramadan - fating patients - Diabetic patients.
