Outcomes of pharmacists' interventions in the collaborative care of patients with diabetes

Objectives: To describe and assess the impact of pharmacists' interventions in the collaborative care of patients with diabetes in a Nigerian hospital. Methods: Selected patients were randomised into control and intervention groups. The control group received usual hospital care. The intervention group received an additional pharmaceutical care package. After three months, patients' knowledge of the disease management, adherence to the treatment regimen, and blood glucose levels were determined and compared. Results: There were 99 participants (49 in the control group and 50 in the intervention group). Interventions improved patients' awareness of self-management. Mean preprandial blood glucose before intervention was 9.04 +/- 3.469 mmol/L and 5.62 +/- 1.243 mmol/L after, (p < 0.0001) while peak post-prandial levels were 12.44 +/- 4.581 mmol/L versus 7.60 +/- 1.824 mmol/L respectively, (p < 0.0001). Conclusion: Pharmacists' active involvement in the collaborative care of patients with diabetes improved patient outcomes.