Level of awareness regarding diabetes and its management in diabetic population of Pakistan, and highlighting the role of consultant pharmacist

oday diabetes is one of the major challenges in health sector worldwide. Diabetes is one of the most prevalent disorders, the prevalence for which was estimated (globally), in 2013 to be 382 million diabetic patients which is expected to rise to 592 million by 2035. Most people with diabetes live in developing countries (like Pakistan). According to IDF, currently 6.6 million Pakistanis live with diabetes and in 2025 the total number of people with diabetes is estimated to projected 14.5 million; Pakistan has the tenth largest population of diabetes, and will take the fourth position in 2025.The management of chronic disorders like diabetes not only requires rational therapeutic approaches, but also proper education and counseling by healthcare professionals, because the self care practices of individuals are influenced by their knowledge about diabetes; the more they know about their illness, more they would have self management skills. The significance of diabetic patient education has been known since the eighteenth century; Dr. E.P.Joslin stated that the diabetic who knows the most lives the longest. So recently it has been evaluated that diabetic patient counseling about the disease state, complications and management, adherence to therapy and medications, clarifying myths and other aspects can reduce and prevent the long term complications and decreases financial burdens and morbidity rates.