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.
