title: Study investigating the impact of pharmacist involvement on the outcomes of diabetes medication therapy adherence program Malaysia.
abstract: Involvement of pharmacists in improving medication adherence among diabetic patients is recognized globally. In Malaysian healthcare system, pharmacists are also operating health services i.e. Diabetes Medication Therapy Adherence Clinic (DMTAC). This study aimed to assess the clinical outcomes of patients managed by pharmacists (DMTAC), in a Malaysian hospital setting. This was an open labelled randomised study. Type 2 diabetes patients with HbA1c ≥8% were recruited and arbitrarily divided into the intervention group (usual care plus DMTAC) and the non-intervention group (usual care only). Those enrolled in the intervention group were scheduled for follow-up for eight consecutive visits. Improvements in lab results were compared longitudinally (pre and post analysis) between the groups. Data analysis was done using PASW 18® version. A total of 76 patients were enrolled, with 39 patients in the intervention group and 37 patients in the non-intervention group. Mean HbA1c (-0.90% vs. -0.08%, p=0.011) and fasting blood glucose levels (-3.45 mmol.l vs. +0.79 mmol/l, p=0.002) reduced significantly between the intervention group vs. non-intervention group. Total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) were also significantly reduced in the intervention group (TC -0.34 mmol/l, p=0.018) (LDL -0.45 mmol/l, p=0.001). In conclusion, pharmacists managed DMTAC significantly improved glycaemic control and lipid profile of diabetic patients.
authors.affiliation: Pharmacy Department, Pulau Pinang Hospital, Jalan Residensi, Penang, Malaysia.
authors.forename: Phei Ching
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Lim
authors.affiliation: Pharmacy Department, Pulau Pinang Hospital, Jalan Residensi, Penang, Malaysia.
authors.forename: Kelvin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Lim
authors.affiliation: Pharmacy Department, Pulau Pinang Hospital, Jalan Residensi, Penang, Malaysia.
authors.forename: Zubaidah Che
authors.initials: ZC
authors.lastname: Embee
authors.affiliation: Discipline of Social and Administrative Pharmacy, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University Sains Malaysia, Malaysia.
authors.forename: Mohamed Azmi
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Hassali
authors.affiliation: Discipline of Social and Administrative Pharmacy, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University Sains Malaysia, Malaysia.
authors.forename: Anuradha
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Thiagarajan
authors.affiliation: School of Pharmacy, Monash University, Bandar Sunway, Selangor, Malaysia.
authors.forename: Tahir Mehmood
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Khan
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000097:blood; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin / Q000378:metabolism; D015438:Health Behavior; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008296:Malaysia; D008297:Male; D055118:Medication Adherence; D008875:Middle Aged; D010348:Patient Care Team; D010595:Pharmacists; D010607:Pharmacy Service, Hospital; D024382:Professional Role; D015397:Program Evaluation; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D001786:Blood Glucose; D002784:Cholesterol; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; C517652:hemoglobin A1c protein, human