Pharmacists Help Safely Monitors Patient Who Use Insulin

For some patients, the word “insulin” itself is alarming, signaling to them that their condition is serious. Yet, as clinical pharmacists like Jennifer Griffin, PharmD, MS, from Harps Food Stores Inc, see every day, the story doesn’t end with a diagnosis or a new medication. It begins there.

In this interview, Griffin explains how effective diabetes management extends far beyond dosing charts and lab values. She closely tracks objective data—blood glucose readings throughout the day, A_1c levels, and episodes of hypoglycemia—to help determine when and how to titrate insulin safely. She also keeps a careful eye on comorbidities that can complicate care, particularly in older adults who face higher risks from both hyper- and hypoglycemia.

But it’s the subjective side of care that often proves transformative. Griffin spends time walking patients through blood glucose meter training, insulin injection technique, and even how to apply continuous glucose monitors. Her goal is simple but critical: ensure patients don’t go home confused about what to do. Instead, she wants them to feel confident, supported, and empowered to manage their condition.

Central to her approach is a strong emphasis on lifestyle modifications—small, realistic changes in diet, sleep, and physical activity that can yield dramatic improvements. Griffin shares the story of a patient who, newly diagnosed with an A_1c over 10% and reluctant to start medication, returned after making meaningful lifestyle changes with an A_1c in the 7% to 8% range. For Griffin, that case underscores a central message: when clinical guidance is paired with education, encouragement, and practical coaching, patients can meaningfully change the trajectory of their diabetes.

"But with lifestyle modifications, they don't have to go out and feel like, 'Oh, I'm going to go run 10 miles today, and that's going to be my exercise,' or they're cutting their diet back to just nothing," Griffin said. "Small changes can go a really long way."