Background: Significant benefit from involving community pharmacists in diabetes management has been demonstrated. This study was undertaken to evaluate the knowledge and attitudes of community pharmacists to diabetes care in Tripoli, Libya. Materials and Methods: One hundred and forty six conveniently selected community pharmacists were surveyed by 2 questionnaires. The first documented the available services and pharmacists' perceived role in diabetes care. The second evaluated the pharmacists' diabetes knowledge based on a validated 23 item questionnaire, the “Arabic Short Diabetes Knoledge Test” (ASDKT). Results: The survey demonstrated inconsistent supply of different diabetic medications. Insulin was not available throughout most of the pharmacies, whereas Sulphonylureas and Metformin were more readily available. Urine and blood glucose testing strips and glucose meters were available irregularly in about half of the pharmacies. The role of pharmacists in diabetes care was mainly viewed as supply and dispensing, dispensing and instruction and help and support. Diabetes educational activities offered by the pharmacists included providing information on availability of diabetes-related items, counseling on the use of drugs, instruction on use of glucose meters and answering general questions about diabetes. The information provided was rated as good and adequate by almost three quarters of the participants. The median ASDKT's overall score for all questions was 16/23. General diabetes information score was 9/15 and for insulin therapy-specific questions was 7/8. The sources of information used in diabetic education were books and journals, through learning from colleagues, product literature and attending lectures were thought to be helpful. Pharmacists were prepared to enhance their education by meetings and lectures, Journals and books, audiotapes and self-education. Conclusions: Community pharmacists offer a readily accessible potential resource for diabetes education. Our survey of practicing pharmacists, elucidated their readiness to participate in a multidisciplinary diabetes management team. Incorporation of community pharmacists in any national diabetes educational program is necessary.
Key-words:
Diabetes - Community Pharmacists - Diabetes Education
