Supporting Pharmacists in CGM Counseling

Helping patients get the most from continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) requires both effective education and a workflow that supports pharmacists’ time and expertise. While there is no single solution, there are practical ways to make CGM counseling more sustainable in busy community settings.

One key step is engaging the people who know the realities best: practicing community pharmacists. Their daily experience can reveal barriers and opportunities that may not be obvious from the outside. Input from these frontline providers is essential for developing workable strategies.

Pharmacy technicians can also play an important role. While they may not deliver clinical education, they can prepare materials, gather patient information, print manufacturer instructions, and help schedule follow-up consultations. This frees pharmacists to focus on the higher-level counseling that requires their clinical expertise.

Multimodal education can save time while improving retention. For example, patients could watch an instructional video before their appointment, then meet briefly with the pharmacist for tailored follow-up questions. Shorter initial consultations followed by targeted check-ins, whether in person or by phone, can reinforce key points and ensure patients continue using their devices correctly.

It is also important to advocate for policy changes that recognize the value of device education. Reimbursement for CGM counseling would make these services more sustainable and allow pharmacists to dedicate time to this vital patient support.

Pharmacists have already shown their accessibility and impact as approachable healthcare providers. With better resources, staffing support, and policy alignment, they can feel more confident integrating CGM counseling into their workflow. In the end, these efforts not only help patients achieve better outcomes but also strengthen the role of pharmacists in managing chronic conditions.

Drug Topics® recently sat down with Morgan Stewart, PharmD, BCACP, BC-ADM, clinical associate professor of pharmacy practice at the University of Texas at Austin, to discuss how pharmacy teams can integrate CGM counseling into their existing workflow despite time and staffing constraints.

READ MORE: Diabetes Resource Center

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