Important issues for pharmacy teams

Pharmacy teams should actively identify people who could benefit from the addition of an SGLT-2 inhibitor to their treatment.

The move to make SGLT-2 inhibitors first-line therapy alongside modified release metformin for almost all newly diagnosed adults will substantially increase their use in primary care. New medicine service (NMS) consultations will now frequently involve two medicines from week one, and people should be provided with clear advice explaining the benefits of starting dual therapy earlier.

According to NICE, achieving a 90 per cent uptake of the new joint first‑line treatment with SGLT-2 inhibitors and metformin could prevent up to 22,000 deaths each year.

Similarly, recommending GLP-1 receptor agonists as part of initial treatment for those diagnosed with type 2 diabetes before the age of 40 will increase costs. However, the potential for weight loss due to the earlier intervention could reduce morbidity and associated long-term treatment costs.

Overall, the cardiovascular and renal benefits from increased use of SGLT-2 inhibitors and GLP-1 receptor agonists should reduce the long-term costs of managing diabetes complications.