The Ministry of Health is preparing a special program which forbids pharmacists from undertaking the role of physicians. Meanwhile, pharmacies have been given the green light to do diabetes check-ups.
The ministry aims to educate pharmacists and raise their awareness about diabetes through well-prepared programs in specialized centers.
Most recently, a company owning a series of pharmacies all over the Kingdom began implementing a diabetes prevention program which reduces the cost of treatment. This program is aimed at integrating into an effective health care system which educates people how to prevent disease and get an early diagnosis.
"Diabetes affects approximately a third of the Saudi population," said Muhammad Algorashi, general manager for marketing and public relations in Alnahdi Medical Group. Owing to the high cost of diabetes treatment, Alnahdi Group launched this program which will be implemented in all branches around the Kingdom.
He pointed out that this program is borrowed from an American trial. In collaboration with the faculty of medicine at Harvard University, a pharmacy in Boston had signed a contract with the Joslin Diabetes Center which proved that pharmacists can reduce diabetes by 30 percent through awareness programs.
Arab News
