GPs and pharmacists now have greater opportunity to understand the latest evidence and treatment options for the management of type 2 diabetes.

“NPS recognises the important role community pharmacists play in the management of this chronic illness.” said Dr Stephen Phillips, Chair NPS.

“NPS is making it easier for health professionals to keep up-to-date with the latest evidence-based approaches for management of type 2 diabetes through participation in national case studies, self-audits, access to information provided by NPS RADAR and the current series of new drugs seminars.”

In particular, participation in the self-audit, Drug use in type 2 diabetes, gives pharmacists the opportunity to identify counselling points for patients being treated, reinforce key messages about diabetes management to patients and demonstrate provision of quality care.

“In addition to the self-audit, over 20,000 registrants of NPS RADAR will be alerted to the new PBS combination drug metformin/glibenclamide (Glucovance) and the changed indication for rosiglitazone (Avandia) for type 2 diabetes. Just because these are now available, it doesn’t mean current treatment practices should be changed, especially without careful consideration of the patient’s circumstances, the risks, available evidence and safety profile of the drugs,” said Dr Phillips.

GPs and pharmacists across the country are invited to join in, discuss and debate the roles of old and new antidiabetic drugs at The Leading Edge: New Drugs Seminars.

“It is important for health professionals and consumers to understand how the benefits and limitations of new drugs compare to the treatments with which we are familiar. So the program covers not only the newer glitazones, but also the role of insulin releasers and insulin sensitisers” said Prof Gillian Shenfield, expert speaker at some of the seminars and clinical pharmacologist and general physician at Royal North Shore Hospital, Sydney.

How can you get involved?

• Enrol in the self-audit, Drug use in type 2 diabetes. Go to the NPS website at www.nps.org.au or call 02 8217 8700 to order your self-audit kit
• Register for your free NPS RADAR.
  
• Sign up for one of the Leading Edge: New Drugs Seminars. For a seminar near you, visit www.nps.org.au/events

ENDS

National Prescribing Service Ltd (NPS) provides independent, evidence-based information and services to health professionals and the community on Quality Use of Medicines (QUM). To achieve this we work in partnership with GPs, pharmacists, specialists, other health professionals, Government, pharmaceutical industry, consumer organisations and the community. NPS is an independent, non-profit organisation funded by the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing.