CDC releases diabetes prevention program action guide for pharmacies.

Abstract

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is urging the pharmacy profession to get involved in the national diabetes prevention program (DPP), which promotes a lifestyle intervention model for averting the onset of type 2 diabetes mellitus in patients at elevated risk for the condition. The DPP model uses a CDC-approved curriculum to help pharmacists and other healthcare professionals identify patients with prediabetes and encourage those patients to make healthier eating choices, exercise more, and manage stress. To facilitate peer support, DPP uses a group-coaching model, with at least 16 weekly sessions held during the first 6 months of program enrollment and monthly sessions held during months 7–12. Each DPP site must apply to CDC to become a recognized supplier of services and must regularly submit data to CDC and commit to enrolling at least 1 cohort of patients annually. According to CDC’s recently released DPP implementation guide for pharmacists, the program can be used in the ambulatory care setting “to maximize the unique skills and abilities of the pharmacy workforce.”