Al Nahdi Medical Company has recently entered into a partnership agreement with Boston-based Joslin Diabetes Center, an affiliate of Harvard Medical School, aimed at eliminating diabetes in the Kingdom in every way possible. The agreement was reached during a workshop entitled “The Role of the Community Pharmacy in Diabetes Care” held at Park Hyatt in Jeddah, which examined the reality of diabetes in the Kingdom and the possibility of further improving conditions for patients. Participants also discussed the achievements made in the fight against diabetes in the Kingdom, and the challenges facing the sector. It was noted that Saudi Arabia has a large number of leading physicians and researchers and has trained many diabetes educators. As a result there have been many successes and great accomplishments to advance the care of people with diabetes and ensure the availability of medication for diabetes sufferers. Other accomplishments include raising awareness and recognizing that diabetes is a major and growing problem, and growth in building infrastructure, specifically the number of diabetes centers throughout region. In addition, the Kingdom has developed clinical standards for diabetes care and national efforts in diabetes data collection for a national registry are in progress. Dr. Bandar T. Hamooh, CEO of Al Nahdi Medical Company, said: “Based on the initial studies and research we discovered that diabetes is the most widespread chronic disease in the Saudi society, and I think we have an opportunity to be part of an integrated health system, utilizing our extensive network, which includes 600 pharmacies throughout the Kingdom, and our qualified staff of pharmacists and their assistants who serve nearly 55 million customers at a national level.” Eng. Hosam A. Alqurashi, Senior Director of Marketing and External Relations at Al Nahdi Medical Company, said “the workshop aimed to strengthen ties of cooperation between the company, Ministry of Health, diabetes centers, doctors, researchers and university professors in the Kingdom to build an effective partnership between parties interested in preventing diabetes, and provide integrated care for diabetics that includes detection, education and follow-up treatment.” The delegates identified future roles that community pharmacists can play to support stakeholders including the community and consumers in general, people with diabetes and at risk of diabetes, doctors and health care professionals. Specifically, pharmacists can offer support in prevention, including prevention of complications, screening and monitoring, and patient education and counseling supported by consistent messages and reinforcement. Community pharmacists could also become a referral source for physicians, especially in early detections, and should establish collaborative relationships with physicians. It was stressed that there is a need to think creatively and regionally to promote diabetes wellness and provide patient empowerment and advocacy. Dr. Bandar noted that “we believe that we can act on these opportunities by implementing a proof of concept pilot program at pharmacies, as well as, most importantly, continuing the collaborative partnerships among participants in today's workshop.” — SG
