The role of pharmacists in diabetes management in Zanzibar and Dar es Salaam regions, Tanzania

A cross sectional descriptive study was conducted in public diabetes clinics, hospital and community pharmacies in vicinity of diabetes clinics in Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar to investigate the role of pharmacists in management of diabetes and diabetic patients’ care. Face to face interviews were conducted with patients, health workers and pharmacists. A total of 191 subjects were interviewed. Of those, 115 were patients, 18 health workers at the diabetes clinics and 58 pharmacists. Out of 18 health workers, none was pharmacist, and of those 13 (72.2%) were also involved in dispensing medicines. Majority (71%) of the interviewed patients were able to describe their medications, knew about the appropriate storage conditions and how to use them. Seventy-six percent (n=87) of the patients were aware of risks associated with non-adherence to medication regimen and symptoms of their disease conditions. Diabetesassociated complications and mitigation of the same were familiar to 64% and 72% of the patients, respectively. Pharmacists were not directly involved in diabetes patient care in clinics. Diabetic patients were managed by doctors and nurses. Procurement and storage of anti-diabetics were the main roles of hospital pharmacists. On the contrary, of 58 pharmacists, 51 (88%) community pharmacists were involved in counseling patients on storage and use of medicines. Based on these results, patients could not appreciate the roles of pharmacist in diabetes care. Therefore, pharmacists need to update their knowledge on diabetes through seminars and continuing education and professional development and thus be able to actively participate in the diabetes management and diabetes patient care. Keywords: Pharmacists, diabetes, patients, pharmacies, anti-diabetic drugs East and Central African Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences Vol.14 (2011) 64-72