Caring for patients with diabetes during COVID-19 pandemic: Important considerations for pharmacists

Mohamed Hassan Elnaem; Ejaz Cheema

doi:10.1016/j.sapharm.2020.05.030

Caring for patients with diabetes during COVID-19 pandemic: Important considerations for pharmacists

Res Social Adm Pharm. 2021 Jan;17(1):1938-1941. doi: 10.1016/j.sapharm.2020.05.030. Epub 2020 May 31.

Authors

Mohamed Hassan Elnaem¹, Ejaz Cheema²

Affiliations

¹ Department of Pharmacy Practice, Faculty of Pharmacy, International Islamic University Malaysia, Kuantan, Pahang, Malaysia; Quality Use of Medicines Research Group, Faculty of Pharmacy, International Islamic University Malaysia, Kuantan, Pahang, Malaysia. Electronic address: drmelnaem@gmail.com.
² School of Pharmacy, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, UK. Electronic address: e.cheema@bham.ac.uk.

Abstract

The current pandemic of the COVID-19 infection, coupled with the increased global burden of diabetes, has imposed significant challenges to the healthcare providers in providing effective and sustained care to patients with diabetes during the ongoing pandemic. It is, therefore, important for healthcare providers to understand and follow the recommended changes in the delivery of care, lifestyle modifications, and pharmacotherapy to ensure optimal care to the patients during and post-pandemic era. This commentary aims to discuss the impact of COVID-19 on diabetes care and the important considerations for pharmacists during this pandemic.

Keywords: COVID-19; Diabetes; Pharmacists.

MeSH terms

COVID-19*
Delivery of Health Care / organization & administration*
Diabetes Mellitus / epidemiology
Diabetes Mellitus / therapy*
Humans
Pharmaceutical Services / organization & administration
Pharmacists / organization & administration*
Professional Role