Pharmacist Outreach Reduces Therapeutic Inertia in T2D | ADA 2025
Data presented at ADA’s 85th Scientific Sessions showed patients who received physician education with clinical pharmacist outreach had significantly better A1c levels at 6 months compared to usual care.
Primary care provider education combined with outreach from a pharmacist could help patients with a new type 2 diabetes diagnosis avoid glycemic deterioration and increase the initiation of metformin, according to recent data presented at the American Diabetes Association’s 2025 Scientific Sessions, held June 20-23 in Chicago, Illinois.1
Pharmacist Outreach Reduces Therapeutic Inertia in T2D | ADA 2025 / onephoto - stock.adobe.com
Despite new treatments and updated guidelines, only about half of people with type 2 diabetes achieve recommended blood sugar levels. A major reason is therapeutic inertia, defined as the failure to initiate or adjust treatment when needed, which has been noted as a key contributor to the lack of A1c goal attainment. Addressing this issue is critical to improving outcomes and reducing complications linked to poor glycemic control.2
“Therapeutic inertia during the early period following type 2 diabetes diagnosis is particularly problematic, as mounting evidence demonstrates the lasting benefits of early, intensive treatment on decreasing the risk of microvascular complications and premature mortality,” the authors wrote.3
Investigators from Kaiser Permanente conducted a study in order to evaluate the effects of proactive outreach by a non-physician clinician to patients with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes. The study cohort included 877 adult patients between the ages of 18 and 64 who had a recent type 2 diabetes diagnosis, an A1c of 6.5% to 7.9% and were not prescribed or were non-adherent to metformin.
The study included 3 groups: patients who received usual care, patients who received physician education on therapeutic inertia, and patients who received physician education on therapeutic inertia combined with proactive outreach by a clinical pharmacist. The primary study outcome was the proportion of patients with an HbA1c of less than 7% at 6, 12, and 18 month follow-up appointments. Secondary outcomes included time to achieve glycemic targets, adherence to A1c monitoring, and time to metformin initiation.
The study found that patients in the group who received physician education and in the group that received physician education with clinical pharmacist outreach had significantly better A1c levels at 6 months compared to patients who received usual care. The benefit in A1c levels was also sustained at 12 months. Additionally, patients in the group who received physician education with clinical pharmacist outreach had higher odds of starting metformin at 6 months.
“In this trial, combining primary care physician education and pharmacist outreach resulted in less glycemic deterioration and increased odds of metformin initiation,” the authors concluded.1 “These findings highlight the potential of a low-touch, proactive intervention leveraging non-physician clinicians to improve type 2 diabetes outcomes.”
Read more from our coverage of the ADA’s 85th Scientific Sessions.
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