The Pharmacy Guild of Australia is urging Queenslanders to use National Diabetes Week (12–18 July) to take charge of their health — starting with a visit to their local community pharmacy.
Chris Owen, Queensland Branch President of the Pharmacy Guild of Australia, said community pharmacies are the easiest, and most accessible first port of call for people worried about their diabetes risk.
"If you're feeling unusually tired or thirsty, or struggling to keep your blood glucose stable, don't wait for it to become a hospital visit. Your local pharmacist can see you today, without an appointment," said Mr Owen.
“With one in four inpatient beds in Queensland's public hospitals occupied by a patient with diabetes,* now is the time to take charge with a visit to your local community pharmacy.”
Around 300,000 Queenslanders are living with diabetes, and more than 20,000 new diagnoses every year. Community pharmacists are highly trained health professionals embedded in suburbs and towns across Queensland.
Whether you're living with type 2 diabetes or simply want to understand your risk, your pharmacist can:
- help with practical advice on diet, devices and medications
- review blood glucose levels and patterns
- supply consumables for devices such as continuous glucose monitors and insulin pumps, and
- in the case of full scope of practice pharmacists, they can optimise treatments.
More than five per cent of Queenslanders are registered under the National Diabetes Services Scheme. Community pharmacists deliver services under the Scheme, alongside a growing range of chronic disease management options available through Queensland's Chronic Conditions Management Pilot.
"Diabetes doesn't have to be diagnosed late, and it doesn't have to end in a hospital bed. Knowing your risk early is the single most powerful step you can take," said Mr Owen.
Queenslanders can book a diabetes consultation at their local community pharmacy via findapharmacy.com.au.