How CGM and Automated Insulin Delivery Are Expanding the Role of Pharmacists in Diabetes Care

In an interview with Pharmacy Times, Jennifer Goldman, PharmD, CDCES, BC-ADM, FCCP, a professor of pharmacy practice at the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, discussed key topics covered at the 2026 Diabetes Day of Education, highlighting how continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) and automated insulin delivery systems are shifting pharmacists from traditional medication management toward data-driven care.

Goldman emphasized that CGM data empowers patients to recognize patterns and prevent serious complications, such as hypoglycemia and diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), while also reducing the risk of cardiovascular and microvascular events. She identified insurance coverage as the most significant systemic barrier to equitable CGM access, though she noted that increasingly robust clinical outcomes are driving improvements in coverage policies. Goldman concluded that as evidence continues to mount supporting CGM’s benefits beyond glycemic control, the American Diabetes Association’s (ADA’s) recommendation of CGM for all patients reflects a broader shift toward universal adoption of this life-changing technology.

Pharmacy Times: Can you please introduce yourself?

Jennifer Goldman, PharmD, CDCES, BC-ADM, FCCP: Hi, my name is Jennifer Goldman. I am a professor of pharmacy practice at the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy in Boston, Massachusetts. I am the director of cardiometabolic services at Well Life Medical in Peabody, Massachusetts, and I have been practicing for 36 years.

Pharmacy Times: How do you see the relationship between CGM and automated insulin delivery systems reshaping the day-to-day responsibilities of pharmacists in diabetes care?

Goldman: I think what we are seeing is a change from pharmacists being just involved with medication management to being involved in data-driven medication management and data-driven changes with this technology and automated insulin delivery.

Pharmacy Times: How significant a role does CGM technology play in reducing the risk of diabetes-related complications and improving patients’ quality of life?

Goldman: With CGM, data is power. That data allows patients to see what is going to happen, to recognize patterns, and to identify problems that can lead to morbidity and mortality—such as hypoglycemia or even DKA. This allows patients to catch these things, prevent complications, and prevent cardiovascular issues or events, as well as microvascular and macrovascular complications. Data is power.

Pharmacy Times: From an administrative standpoint, what is the biggest systemic barrier preventing diverse patient populations from accessing CGM today?

Goldman: I think the biggest barrier is insurance coverage and access, as it is very variable. What we are seeing now is an improvement in coverage, because we have such spectacular outcomes. We have seen the ADA change their recommendations, which are basically CGMs for all. As more outcomes emerge—not just for blood sugars but also for preventing those really important macrovascular and microvascular outcomes—we are going to continue to see improved coverage.