Pharmacy staff can help to identify patients at risk of diabetic complications by using an innovative blood glucose monitor that measures HbA1c levels. 

The team at Medicare Pharmacy in Spinney Hill, Leicester, had training on how to use the A1CNow kit, which measures a patient’s HbA1c levels and provides a more accurate indication of their blood glucose control than standard monitors. 

Of the 32 patients identified with a high risk of complications, one in three were found to have high HbA1c levels and were referred to a GP for investigation, and all patients received lifestyle tips on lowering their risk. 

Yashvant Lodhia, director of the pharmacy, said: “We felt that this pilot proved to be a really useful exercise in community pharmacy healthcare and we hope to introduce this as a permanent service. Diabetes is one of the main health issues of our generation, certainly within the Asian community, and we know that regular monitoring of HbA1c blood glucose levels is essential both for detection and effective treatment of the disease.”