Key points
- Pharmacists can improve the effectiveness of the National Diabetes Prevention Program (National DPP) lifestyle change program.
- They can also sustain their program by reducing costs for both the pharmacy and program participants.
- Learn more about strategies and resources available to maximize efforts to prevent type 2 diabetes.
National organizations supporting the National DPP
Many state and public employee health plans, commercial health plans, self-insured employers, and state Medicaid agencies cover the cost of the National DPP lifestyle change program. It's also covered by Medicare through the Medicare Diabetes Prevention Program (MDPP) expanded model. Pharmacists can work with their patients to determine if they are eligible for coverage.
The American Pharmacists Association (APhA) Foundation's Project Impact: Diabetes Prevention
The APhA Foundation's Project Impact: Diabetes Prevention uses the strengths of pharmacy partners to build infrastructure. Pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, dietitians, and other health care professionals working in highly accessible pharmacy practice environments are trained to deliver the National DPP lifestyle change program.
The project uses a hybrid model including face-to-face classes, telehealth, and digital technology. This approach helps participants complete the program by tailoring classes to their individual needs. The APhA Foundation's current partners are The Kroger Co. and Tabula Rasa HealthCare.
For more information about the APhA Foundation's work with pharmacies, email questions to info@aphafoundation.org.
National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA)-ADCES-OmniSYS National DPP Project
NCPA, in collaboration with the Association of Diabetes Care & Education Specialists (ADCES) and OmniSYS, launched an initiative to lower costs for pharmacies interested in obtaining CDC recognition to offer the National DPP lifestyle change program.
Starting in 2020, NCPA recruited over 40 pharmacies to participate in the initiative. NCPA has since identified several key characteristics that have helped pharmacies effectively implement the program:
- Previous experience offering diabetes education or management services.
- Being located in a medically underserved area.
- Sufficient number of staff dedicated to the project, especially pharmacy technicians.
- Currently offering five or more clinical services.
For more information about NCPA's support for pharmacies delivering the National DPP LCP, go to its Want to start a Diabetes Prevention Program at your pharmacy? website.
Diabetes Prevention Recognition Program (DPRP) Community Pharmacy Program
In spring 2022, the APhA Foundation partnered with NCPA to pilot the DPRP Community Pharmacy Program, which identifies high-performing community pharmacies which provide the National DPP lifestyle change program. DPRP provides funding to help patients without health insurance enroll, and technical assistance to help pharmacies.
NCPA recruited five pharmacies, most of which had stopped providing in-person classes because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Support from the APhA Foundation and NCPA helped the pharmacies resume in-person classes. The APhA Foundation also gives pharmacies access to an easy-to-use program management platform, and assistance with required reporting for DPRP.
The pharmacy workforce call to action
The entire pharmacy workforce—including pharmacists and pharmacy technicians, residents, and students—can get involved in supporting the National DPP’s mission to prevent type 2 diabetes. Members of the pharmacy team can take action to help expand the reach of the National DPP lifestyle change program.
Supporting the National DPP
| Workforce Category | Tier 1: Promote Awareness of Prediabetes and the National DPP Among Patients at Risk | Tier 2: Screen, Test, Refer, and Enroll Patients | Tier 3: Offer the National DPP Lifestyle Change Program |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pharmacists | Almost always best positioned for this role | Almost always best positioned for this role | Often best positioned for this role |
| Technicians | Almost always best positioned for this role | Almost always best positioned for this role | Almost always best positioned for this role |
| Residents | Almost always best positioned for this role | Almost always best positioned for this role | Often best positioned for this role |
| Students | Almost always best positioned for this role | Often best positioned for this role | Sometimes best positioned for this role |
Pharmacy workforce supporting three tiers of diabetes prevention
Pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, pharmacy residents, and pharmacy students all have a key role to play in supporting, promoting, and delivering the National DPP lifestyle change program.
Tier 1: Promote awareness of prediabetes and the National DPP among patients at risk
- Educate patients about prediabetes.
- Establish relationships with local organizations.
- Connect with peers and others outside the health care system.
Tier 2: Screen, test, refer, and enroll patients
- Administer the prediabetes risk test or blood glucose test.
- Pharmacists can include prediabetes screening, testing, referring, and enrolling as part of disease management counseling. Other pharmacy workforce members can use the risk test and promote the National DPP lifestyle change program during wait times.
Tier 3: Offer the National DPP lifestyle change program
- Serve as a Lifestyle Coach for the lifestyle change program.
- Serve as a program coordinator as an external champion of the program.
- Maintain DPRP standards.