A Systematic Review of Antidiabetic Prescription Patterns and the Impact of Pharmacist-Provided Education on Clinical Outcomes in Diabetes Mellitus Management

Review Article

Abstract

Diabetes mellitus management requires comprehensive understanding of medication prescription patterns and effective educational interventions for optimal patient outcomes. This study synthesized evidence from multiple databases including PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar, examining publications up to 2024. Current prescribing trends indicate metformin as the primary first-line therapy, with sulfonylureas, DPP-4 inhibitors, and SGLT-2 inhibitors following in frequency of use. Each medication class demonstrates unique benefits and limitations, influencing prescriber choices based on patient-specific factors. Analysis of pharmacist-led interventions revealed significant improvements in clinical outcomes, with documented HbA1c reductions averaging 0.76% compared to standard care. Educational programs conducted by pharmacists demonstrated marked enhancement in medication adherence rates, patient knowledge scores, and self-management capabilities. Implementation challenges were identified, including limited professional recognition, inadequate reimbursement mechanisms, and time constraints in practice settings. The evidence supports the crucial role of pharmacists in diabetes management teams, suggesting the need for enhanced integration of pharmacy services into standard diabetes care protocols