Taking Action for Diabetes Care

1 in 3 people in Canada are affected by diabetes or prediabetes and numbers are expected to rise 26% in the next 10 years. Diabetes Canada emphasizes the critical need for consistent screening and increased access points to care, particularly for those without a family physician.

?As pharmacists, we are committed to innovative approaches and collaborative efforts with partners to ensure all Canadians have access to essential services, including diabetes screening and management.

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Shoppers Drug Mart Health Screening Pilot

?In the summer of 2023, we launched a Health Screening pilot across 40 communities in Ontario and Alberta. Pharmacists provided free screenings to individuals over 40 who had not been previously diagnosed with diabetes. The 20-minute screening included a risk assessment and three point-of-care tests—A1C blood sugar, cholesterol, and blood pressure—offering a clinically validated indication of diabetes and cardiovascular disease risk.

?We screened over 9,000 individuals, revealing significant insights. Shockingly, 38% of those screened reported lacking a family doctor, emphasizing the need for alternative access points.

?Additionally, 18% of individuals screened showed A1C readings indicative of diabetes or prediabetes, leading to further assessment and resources to manage their health conditions.

?We’re proud of our work to date to increase access to vital services and will continue to do our part as we look for collective solutions to the challenges facing public healthcare systems across the country.