ROLES OF COMMUNITY PHARMACISTS IN IMPROVING THERAPEUTIC ADHERENCE AMONG ADULTS WITH DIABETES: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY IN THE KHÉNIFRA REGION, MOROCCO

Abstract

Diabetes Federation, diabetes affects hundreds of millions of adults worldwide with a substantial proportion remaining undiagnosed .With the advancement of diabetes management strategies, therapeutic adherence has emerged as a pivotal component of care, and diabetic patients increasingly turn to community pharmacists as their first point of contact for health-related questions. This study aimed to investigate the specific roles played by community pharmacists in the Khénifra region in fostering improved therapeutic adherence among adult Moroccan patients with diabetes. This cross-sectional, one-day survey targeted community pharmacists practicing in the urban municipality of Khénifra and the rural commune of Moha ou Hammou-Zayani. Data were collected using a structured, self-administered questionnaire and analyzed with JAMOVI software, including an Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) used to delineate the pharmacists' roles in diabetes management. Of 48 pharmacists solicited, 43 agreed to participate (response rate 89.5%). Female pharmacists represented 53.5% of participants, with a mean age of 43.1 ± 9.5 years. Ninety-three percent reported having a glucometer and performing screening tests in their pharmacy, 93% emphasized lifestyle counseling as central to diabetes management, 88% actively educated patients about diabetes complications, and 97.7% advised patients to consult a physician when diabetes was suspected. The exploratory factor analysis identified 14 distinct roles for community pharmacists, grouped into three domains of activity: screening and awareness-raising among diabetic patients, therapeutic follow-up of diabetic patients, and lifestyle and dietary counseling. These findings underscore the pivotal role of community pharmacists in diabetes management and point to the need for a reorganization of their operational framework to better meet the treatment and counseling needs of diabetic patients.