Drug Topics - March 17, 2008 - (Page 6)

6 DRUG TOPICS MARCH 17, 2008 www.drugtopics.com Of Interest to Pharmacists ACP issues guidance on optimal HbA1c for Type 2 diabetics Julio Fernandez, Pharm.D. mittee (CEAS) issued a guidance statement regarding the optimal A1c target for patients with Type 2 diabetes to assist physicians in making evidence-based care decisions. The guidance statement is derived from a comprehensive and systematic review of other organizations’ guidelines and is based on the strengths and weaknesses of these available recommendaCandis Morello believes it’s imtions. Guidelines from various organizations difportant to involve fered in whether they recommended a specific patients in their HgA1c target—and if they did, the target level difown care. fered. Most guidelines used an HgA1c target level of approximately 7%, but several recommended tailoring the level based on patient-specific factors. On the basis of the review of available guidelines, R (ACP) Clinical Efficacy Assessment Subcom- ecently, the American College of Physicians the CEAS recommends that “to prevent microvascular complications of diabetes, the goal for glycemic control should be as low as is feasible without undue risk for adverse events or an unacceptable burden on patients. Treatment goals should be based on a discussion of the benefits and harms of specific levels of glycemic control with the patient. A hemoglobin A1c level less than 7% based on individualized assessment is a reasonable goal for many but not all patients.” Candis M. Morello, Pharm.D., CDE, FCSHP, clinical professor of pharmacy at the Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences at the University of California in San Diego, agrees that selecting a target HgA1c is a patient-specific decision. “I like the fact that the statement emphasizes patient preferences and the importance of involving patients in their own care by discussing the risks and benefits of treatment http://www.drugtopics.com http://www.watson.com

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Drug Topics - March 17, 2008 Contents Commonly Confused Drug Pairs Medicaid Prescription Reimbursement Information By State ACP Issues Guidance On Optimal HbA1c for Type 2 Diabetics Latest News Roundup

Drug Topics - March 17, 2008

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