An estimated 1.8 million Canadians are currently living with diabetes and that number that is rapidly growing. Chronic diseases, like diabetes, put a huge burden on the Canadian health care system and the direct costs to the system, from diabetes alone, are expected to exceed $15 billion by next year.

Pharmacists play an important role in diabetes management and are positioned to take on even greater responsibilities. With approximately 22,000 community pharmacists across Canada, pharmacists are the most accessible health care professional. Along with family physicians, specialists, nurses, dietitians and other health care providers, pharmacists provide a wealth of knowledge and guidance to those living with diabetes.

The Canadian Pharmacists Association (CPhA) is leading the Diabetes Strategy for Pharmacists by providing pharmacists with the knowledge and resources to assume more effective roles in the collaborative management of this chronic disease. The Strategy includes:

- A diabetes supplement to the March/April 2009 issue of the Canadian Pharmacists Journal, providing pharmacy practice guidelines and tips to help pharmacists apply the Canadian Diabetes Association 2008 Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Prevention and Management of Diabetes in Canada specifically to pharmacy practice…