Walgreens: Educating patients with diabetes on insulin injection improves adherence

DEERFIELD, Ill. — A new Walgreens study released Thursday found that a pharmacist-led training and counseling program for patients receiving an injectable diabetes medication improved medication adherence by 24%.

“Walgreens has nearly 26,000 pharmacists who are clinically trained and uniquely positioned to help patients with diabetes overcome any concerns and fears around self-injection, which can be obstacles to effectively self-managing their condition,” stated Jeff Kang, Walgreens SVP health-and-wellness services and solutions. “To date, more than 23,000 patients have participated in the diabetes injection training; demonstrating the widespread patient interest in this type of additional care pharmacists can provide.”

The study evaluated Walgreens' first nationwide self-injection training program for diabetes patients prescribed to a self-injectable diabetes medication. For the study, Walgreens pharmacists trained more than 4,500 patients starting the medication for the first time on appropriate injection technique, side effect management and the importance of adherence to therapy. Pharmacists also provided a follow-up assessment at the patients’ next refill.

Initial results showed that patients who received two counseling sessions with a pharmacist had an additional eight days of therapy compared with a usual care control group in addition to the improved medication adherence.

The study, titled "Initial Impact of Medication Adherence of Diabetes Injectable Medication Through Pharmacist-Led Injection Training and Counseling," was presented at the American Diabetes Association’s 72nd Scientific Sessions, June 8 to 12 in Philadelphia.

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