Pharmacists Play Large Role in Continuous Glucose Monitoring for Patients With Diabetes | APhA 2025
Lindsey Miller, PharmD, clinical assistant professor of pharmacy practice at the University of Mississippi, discusses how pharmacists can help patients understand and effectively use continuous glucose monitoring.
Pharmacists play a crucial role in expanding access and education around continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) devices for patients with diabetes. Across various practice settings, pharmacists can help patients understand and effectively use CGM technology to improve their diabetes management and quality of life, according to Lindsey Miller, PharmD, clinical assistant professor of pharmacy practice at the University of Mississippi.
In community pharmacy settings, this involves taking extra time during device dispensing to assist patients with application, device setup, and understanding the technology. The key benefits of CGM include empowering patients with real-time health information, helping them make informed decisions about diet and lifestyle, and providing comprehensive data that can lead to improved health outcomes. Pharmacists can help patients navigate potential barriers such as insurance coverage, cost, and device compatibility. Even intermittent use of CGM can provide valuable insights into a patient's daily health patterns, making it a flexible tool for diabetes management.
Pharmacists can add value by identifying potential CGM candidates during patient interactions, collaborating with health care providers to recommend CGM, and potentially offering remote monitoring services. The technology has shown promising results, including A1C reduction, potential insulin de-escalation, weight loss, and long-term cardiovascular risk reduction. To support this work, the American Pharmacists Association (APhA) has developed a 12-hour CGM certificate training program to help pharmacists become more knowledgeable and confident in implementing these services.
The ultimate goal is to track data and outcomes, sharing success stories that demonstrate the significant impact of CGM on patient care and diabetes management. By becoming educated, supportive, and proactive, pharmacists can play a transformative role in helping patients better understand and manage their diabetes through advanced monitoring technologies.
"I've personally had so many patients who have been so excited to come in and show their app on their phone when a reading turns green and says...I took a screenshot of this, and I sent it to my kids, and they're so proud of me," Miller said. "They're just feeling so much more involved and empowered to make those decisions throughout their day to day."
