NEWSWORTHY

Community pharmacists help people understand their risk and manage their condition effectively

November 2, 2017 – Pharmasave encourages Canadians to understand their personal diabetes risk and receive support from Pharmasave pharmacists if they learn they are at risk or have pre-diabetes or diabetes.

Diabetes is a serious and potentially fatal condition that affects approximately 3.4 million Canadians, of whom only 10% were born with it. 1 An additional 6 million Canadians have pre-diabetes, which is a condition where blood sugars are higher than normal, but not high enough to be diagnosed as diabetes. Many are unaware they have pre-diabetes, and without treatment, 1 in 2 will go on to develop diabetes. 3 Left untreated, diabetes can lead to many serious complications, such as heart disease, kidney disease, loss of vision and amputation of the lower limbs.

There are many risk factors for diabetes, including but not limited to obesity, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, a family history of diabetes, and being of Aboriginal, Hispanic, South Asian, Asian, or African descent. Canadians can learn their personal diabetes risk by taking the 2-minute CANRISK diabetes questionnaire online at Pharmasave.com. After taking the survey, they are encouraged to discuss the results with a Pharmasave pharmacist, who can provide guidance and support.
Managing diabetes and pre-diabetes usually involves lifestyle and behavioural changes that benefit from consistent support and advocacy from a qualified healthcare professional. Pharmasave pharmacists are trained in diabetes management and provide personalized healthcare and counselling with customers on a drop-in basis or by scheduled appointment.

“Whether a person is newly diagnosed or has lived with diabetes for a while, Pharmasave pharmacists can help them improve their quality of life and increase positive health outcomes by helping them to manage their diabetes effectively,” says Allison Nourse, RPh, Pharmasave’s National Director of Pharmacy Innovation.

Pharmacists are able to support those with pre-diabetes or diabetes in many ways, including medication management, supporting healthy lifestyle choices and more, including:

• Inform, encourage and support individuals in making healthier lifestyle choices like diet and exercise
• Educate about blood glucose targets, self-monitoring and diabetes foot care
• Provide tools and resources to support individuals in following their medication regimen and takings control of their healthcare, including: medication management, medication review, medication synchronization with MedAlign@Pharmasave
• Train insulin-dependent people in effective injection technique
• Check that immunizations are current including pneumonia, shingles and flu vaccines
• Canadians can take the 2-minute CANRISK diabetes risk questionnaire at Pharmasave.com

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About Pharmasave:
With more than 650 stores across the country, Pharmasave is one of Canada’s leading independent community pharmacies. Since being founded in 1981, Pharmasave has focused on building a national platform of community-based retail outlets designed to provide exceptional patient-centred healthcare, medication advice, drug store products and customer service. Pharmasave continues to differentiate itself through leading-edge digital solutions. Patients can access everyday tools to manage their health in ways that are simple to set up and easy to maintain with eCare@Pharmasave. This suite of interactive solutions enables patients to digitally engage with their pharmacy and empowers them with mobile refills, medication reminders and so much more. Each Pharmasave store operates independently to serve its individual community, tailoring both programs and services to the unique needs of customers and reinforcing the commitment to help all customers live well with Pharmasave.

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For more information, contact:
Media Relations
Pharmasave Drugs (National) Ltd.
604-455-2455
info@bc.pharmasave.ca

1 Diabetes Canada, diabetes statistics in Canada: http://www.diabetes.ca/how-you-can-help/advocate/why-federal-leadership-is-essential/diabetes-statistics-in-canada
2 Diabetes Québec, type 2 diabetes: http://www.diabete.qc.ca/en/understand-diabetes/all-about-diabetes/types-of-diabetes/type-2-diabetes
3 Diabetes Canada, prediabetes: https://www.diabetes.ca/about-diabetes/prediabetes