Rôle des pharmaciens d’officine dans la prise en charge des diabétiques dans la ville de Sétif

Abstract

Diabetes is a chronic condition that requires high-quality management and patient education. Pharmacists are among the healthcare professionals involved in this education. The objective of our study was to evaluate the role of community pharmacists in diabetes management. This was a descriptive epidemiological study involving 100 community pharmacists from the Wilaya of Sétif. Data collection was done through a questionnaire, and statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 23.0. Our study population was relatively young (mean age 35.46 years ± 9.151 years) ; nearly twothirds (61%) were assistant pharmacists, and over half (51%) had been working for more than 10 years. The majority (98%) agreed that diabetes is a public health issue in Algeria, with 58% believing that diabetes prevention and screening are insufficiently developed in the country. About 51% recognized the pharmacist’s significant role in diabetic patient education. Among the findings, 43% of pharmacists reported measuring blood glucose levels in their pharmacies, and 71% received patients with type 2 diabetes, predominantly aged 78%, and mostly female (61%). The majority (91%) provided information on insulin injection sites, and 86% advised patients to rotate injection sites. Almost all (99%) provided medication advice, 82% informed patients about diabetes complications, and 96% referred patients to hospitals in emergencies. Most pharmacists (82%) had glucose monitoring equipment in their pharmacies and assisted diabetic patients (92%) in using it. Only 9% conducted urine chemistry tests in pharmacies, but 62% contributed to diabetes awareness campaigns. The study underscores the need for a national strategy in Algeria that emphasizes therapeutic education and involves community pharmacists in diabetes prevention and management.