Assessment of the effect of Pharmacist-Led Education Program on Medication Adherence and Glycemic Control in a Community -setting

Diabetes has become a substantial clinical and public health concern on a global scale, affecting approximately 422 million individuals, equating to a prevalence of 8.5%. India, with over 62 million cases, stands as the second-highest contributor to the global diabetes burden after China, resulting in approximately 1 million annual fatalities. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), diabetes currently holds the ninth position among the leading causes of death globally. Projections suggest that by the year 2030, diabetes may ascend to become the seventh most prevalent cause of mortality. This underscores the increasing significance of diabetes as a public health concern and emphasizes the need for proactive measures to address and mitigate its impact on global health.

Effective control of blood sugar levels via appropriate pharmacotherapy is intricately linked to a substantial decrease in complications associated with diabetes. However, ensuring the success of such pharmacotherapy relies heavily on patient adherence to the prescribed medication regimen. Unfortunately, there is a growing concern as patients exhibit non-adherence behaviours, often discontinuing prescribed medications in favour of alternative remedies as highlighted in recent media reports. This shift in medication practices has been observed to correlate with an alarming increase in both mortality and morbidity rates associated with diabetes. This phenomenon underscores the critical need for a scientific exploration of the factors influencing patient adherence and a comprehensive understanding of the consequences, ultimately guiding strategies to mitigate the adverse impacts on diabetes outcomes.