\t\t\t<\/p>\n
In a preventative healthcare drive, the Independent Community Pharmacy Association (ICPA) has committed to screen 100 000 people for diabetes before the end of October.<\/p>\n
This initiative forms part of the ICPA\u2019s role as the representative of independent pharmacists in South Africa, who do not only have their customers\u2019\/patients\u2019 best health interests at heart, but also value and support preventative and cost reduction actions of the broader healthcare industry.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs a non-communicable or non-infectious disease, diabetes is a key health focus area in South Africa,\u201d says Sham Moodley, ICPA\u2019s chairperson. \u201cDiabetes SA estimates that four to six million South Africans have diabetes, but 80% are unaware of their condition.<\/p>\n
Having such a substantial number of undiagnosed patients out there is concerning and places a huge burden on both the government and private sector. \u201cNot only are lives at stake but the cost burden has serious implications for our country,\u201d says Sham. \u201cTo help address this situation, we partnered with the National Department of Health (NDOH) and Roche Products (Pty) Ltd (Diabetes care) to get patients screened and the data logged before November 2012.\u201d<\/p>\n
In order to provide meaningful data, ICPA invested in an online data capturing tool and , all participating ICPA members will offer FREE diabetes tests from 15 \u2013 19 October.<\/p>\n
By screening the targeted 100 000 patients and capturing the data, ICPA members aim to assist the government in their preventative healthcare strategy. \u201cThe ICPA screening has a specific focus, being to determine a person\u2019s risk of developing Type 2 Diabetes within the next 10 years,\u201d explains Sham. \u201cFollowing the screening, the pharmacist or the clinic nurse will advise the patient appropriately \u2013 it might mean a need to change lifestyle or an urgent visit to the doctor.\u201d<\/p>\n
Evidence indicates that if people identified as high risk are given this information timeously and then implement appropriate lifestyle interventions, they are 60% less likely to progress to Type 2 diabetes.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are very excited about the role that independent pharmacy can play in South Africa. Pharmacy is not just about dispensing \u2013 it\u2019s about proactively promoting healthcare in the communities that we serve.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Director General of NDOH, Malebona Precious Matsoso, supports the ICPA\u2019s diabetes initiative and Roche has provided sponsorship for the screening of 100 000 people. Laura Waller explains that \u201cRoche is committed to pharmacy and community pharmacy in particular. The burden of disease and the access to quality healthcare remains a key challenge across South Africa. To this end, Roche supports initiatives such as the ICPA Screening Project. Such initiatives empower patients by increasing disease awareness and improving disease knowledge.\u201d<\/p>\n
People interested in having a free diabetes screening 15-19 October should visit www.icpa.co.za<\/a> for details of participating pharmacies.<\/p>\n