Making a Measurable Difference

As more disease management programs enlist pharmacists in the management of patients with diabetes, cost-benefit analyses are beginning to show significant savings.

According to a recent study published in the Journal of Managed Care Pharmacy, the VA Medical Center in Pittsburgh found that patients with type 2 diabetes who were enrolled in its pharmacist-based program experienced significant improvements in glycemic control within 6 months.The estimated net savings was more than $103,000 per year for 15 of the most severely ill patients.And in Asheville, NC, a network of community pharmacists saved the city more than $900 per diabetes patient per year. Elsewhere, evaluations of community pharmacists? diabetes-related interventions have put the 1 time cost savings from the prevention of hospitalizations or unnecessary office visits at $4,295 per patient.