Who is this toolkit aimed at?

It has been produced for those providing pharmacy services and their local representative committees. However, it will also be of interest to senior managers responsible for commissioning pharmaceutical services, public health professionals and those providing and commissioning services for people with diabetes.

Pharmacists and their staff have an important role to play in improving adherence helping to improve outcomes for people with diabetes. As part of implementing the pharmacy White Paper, proposals are being developed for more support to be provided, to those newly prescribed a medicine to treat a long-term condition, as part of the community pharmacy contractual  framework.

How can pharmacy contribute to diabetes care

The important contribution that pharmacy can make to the care of people with diabetes is well recognised. This section of the toolkit provides you with information on:

• Prevention - Pharmacists and their staff have a role to play in identifying individuals at risk of developing diabetes (and other vascular conditions), offering them lifestyle advice and appropriate intervention.
• Identification and diagnosis - Early diagnosis of diabetes can significantly reduce the risk of developing complications, as it allows people to receive the support they need to manage their condition. Community pharmacy has an opportunity to proactively identify people with diabetes within the community setting with appropriate onward referral to the GP and other healthcare professionals, where appropriate.
• Initial assessment and management - pharmacy can offer more support to people in the early stages of taking a new course of medicines to treat a long-term condition, and discussions are underway about how this might be incorporated into the community pharmacy contractual framework. 
• Ongoing care - Most of the issues relevant to providing support to a person newly diagnosed with diabetes continue to be relevant throughout the management of their long-term condition. In addition, pharmacy can contribute to many of the NICE recommendations for reducing cardiovascular disease risk in people with type 2 diabetes.
• Preventing or delaying complications - Pharmacists can contribute to the appropriate management of complications, and the risk factors for complications e.g. renal complications. 

Putting Together a Business Case for Pharmacy Services

Pharmacy needs to proactively raise awareness of the contribution that it can make to the care of people with diabetes. To do this effectively, a robust business case needs to be developed which identifies the kind of services that could be provided by pharmacies, how they could be developed, implemented, monitored and quality assured.

A sample business case and sample service specifications are included in this toolkit for reference. These tools have been adapted from resources developed by City & Hackney PCT as part of a local pharmacy diabetes service. In addition, this resource also includes a practical tool to support people using insulin pens.

Practical Tools in this resource

Practical Tool 1: Checklist of ‘Practical Tips’ for the Development and Approval of a Pharmacy Diabetes Service Business Case

A checklist is included highlighting the key tasks that those preparing a business case and for pharmacy services for people with diabetes may need to complete during its development.

Download Practical Tool 1

Practical Tool 2: Implementation Checklist for Pharmacy Service Providers

A guide for community pharmacy service providers to take steps in engaging in the planning and delivery of pharmacy-based diabetes services.

Download Practical Tool 2

Practical Tool 3: Supporting People using Insulin Pens:

Practical Information on:

• Technical considerations
• Pen needles
• Complications
• Supporting people on use of insulin pens
• Practical advice and support by pharmacists for people using pens

Download Practical Tool 3