Pharmacist support in CGM initiation helps lower A1c in patients with diabetes

Clinical pharmacists can help reduce the level of glycated haemoglobin (A1c) in patients with diabetes by assisting them with the initiation of continuous glucose monitoring (CGM), through education, and follow-up, according to a study.

“Among patients included in this study, those followed by pharmacists practicing under collaborative drug therapy management (CDTM) agreements saw the greatest amount of A1c reduction,” the researchers said.

This retrospective pre-post study evaluated the change in A1c among patients who received assistance with CGM device implementation from a clinical pharmacist between 1 January 2019 and 31 December 2023. The primary outcome was change in A1c from baseline (prior to CGM initiation) to the next subsequent A1c (after CGM initiation).

The researchers also examined the change in A1c among a subgroup of patients followed independently by clinical pharmacists practicing under a CDTM agreement.

CGM initiation assisted by a clinical pharmacist resulted in a significant reduction in mean A1c of ‒0.71 (95 percent confidence interval [CI], 0.41‒1.00; p<0.001) across all patients.

In the CDTM subgroup, the mean A1c difference was ‒1.60 (95 percent CI, 0.64‒2.55; p=0.002), while that in the non-CDTM subgroup was ‒0.50 (95 percent CI, 0.22‒0.78; p<0.001).

“The development of CGM has allowed for improved glycaemic control among patients with diabetes,” the researchers said. “Clinical pharmacists possess medication expertise and can provide support for increased CGM utilization through device education and affordability assistance.”