Attributes of pharmacy's educational activities according to good pharmacy practice standards from the perspective of patients with diabetes

Abstract

According to the Good Pharmaceutical Practice (GPP) Standards of Quality of Pharmacy Services, pharmacists should participate in preventive measures to improve the health of the population and prevent disease. The problem of diabetes is becoming increasingly relevant due to its prevalence and a significant number of undiagnosed cases. Patients with diabetes are frequent visitors to pharmacies and have specific needs for treatment. The purpose of the study was to determine the attributes of pharmaceutical educational activities in pharmacies according to the standards of GPP from the perspective of patients with diabetes, as well as to compare the obtained results with similar ones in other countries. The objects of the study were information sources regarding the involvement of pharmacists in the strategy of preventing diabetes in other countries, using literature review and analytical methods. To study the perspective of patients with diabetes, a semi-structured in-depth interview of patients with diabetes who use insulin therapy was applied. Based on research using the semi-structured in-depth interview method, attributes of educational activities were identified in providing pharmaceutical care to patients with diabetes according to GPP standards: identifying individuals with risk factor of diabetes  and people with undiagnosed diabetes; group training of diabetes patients in self-management control; and recommendations flu vaccination in the pre-epidemic period. The availability of diabetes risk factor detection and blood glucose testing in pharmacies contributes to early diagnosis and motivates patients to change their lifestyles. Training people with diabetes by qualified specialists are important for diabetes patients. The organasing of the «diabetes self management school» in pharmacies will increase the accessibility of training for diabetes patients and at the same time enhance the role of pharmacists in clinical practice and the social image of the pharmacy. To promote flu vaccination among patients with diabetes, pharmacists should be actively involved in providing information and promoting vaccination. The identified attributes of educational activities in providing pharmaceutical care according to GPP standards have already been implemented in many countries of the world and have demonstrated their high efficiency for the health care system.