Mr. Imraan Bismilla is the Responsible Pharmacist and Pharma Division Manager at the Centre for Diabetes & Endocrinology in Houghton, Johannesburg. He holds a B. Pharm degree from Rhodes University. Imraan provides his perspective on and insights into the pharmacist’s crucial role in the diabetes management team.
Who is Mr Imraan Bismilla?
Imraan joined the CDE Pharmacy team in 2018 as the Responsible Pharmacist. His role at the CDE has morphed from dispensing pharmacist to a specialist diabetes care pharmacist. In his role at the CDE, Imraan oversees the introduction of novel diabetes care technologies into the pharmacy and the e-commerce environment at the CDE. Imraan is passionate about diabetes care and, driven by the prospect of improved diabetes outcomes, strives to supply the latest novel continuous glucose monitoring, and insulin pump devices to help change the lives of people living with diabetes. Imraan has presented numerous talks on the role of the pharmacist as part of the diabetes care team, for the PSSA (Pharmaceutical Society of South Africa) and he has represented the PSSA, at the FIP (The International Pharmaceutical Federation) Diabetes in Africa symposium.
Why is it important to include a pharmacist in the Diabetes care team?
The pharmacist is the most accessible member of the health care team. Most people living with diabetes should see their pharmacist at least 12 times a year to collect their chronic medications. This offers the person at least 12 opportunities for meaningful engagement with a knowledgeable Health Care Professional, to explore a range of topics, regarding chronic conditions like diabetes (of course, specialised training and experience is vital to fulfil this role effectively). Two important objectives of chronic health condition management are to control symptoms, and to slow or reduce the risk of disease progression. Pharmacists are ideally positioned, and qualified, to advise people on both pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions, to improve quality of life, and health condition outcomes. The long-term outcomes of a person living with type 2 diabetes are dramatically improved if the condition can be detected early. Pharmacists can also play a vital role in screening for early detection of chronic health conditions and even in primary prevention efforts.
How do you see your role as part of a diabetes care team?
As a pharmacist in a diabetes care team, my role is multifaceted and critical in ensuring the well-being of people living with diabetes. These are some of the actions I deem essential, for all pharmacists who want to make a difference, in the life of a person living with diabetes.
- I try at best to optimize my client’s medication management, by identifying and and helping to remove or reduce barriers to adherence.
- I empower my clients, by educating them on the potential complications of diabetes, and how to reduce the risk of this through optimum self-management and slowing disease progression.
- I tailor my interactions to meet the specific needs of individuals I engage. Every client is different, with unique challenges to overcome.
- I recognize the importance of a collaborative approach. I maintain good contact with a range of doctors and allied healthcare professionals (HCPs) and I refer any situation outside my expertise to the relevant HCP.
- I emphasize the importance of blood glucose management and I keep my clients abreast of the latest monitoring technologies. The importance of maintaining blood glucose levels in an optimal target range is essential in achieving optimal health and wellness.
- I recognize the potential impact beyond just the clinical setting. Being part of broader community outreach programmes and diabetes education drives, is essential in raising awareness, and curbing the burden of chronic health conditions on care systems.
My number 1 tip for people living with diabetes.
Speak to your community pharmacist. With appropriate specialised training, pharmacists are ideally placed to provide diabetes services, ranging from preventative services to screenings and referrals for pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments.
Where to find me?
Please visitImraanBismilla.com and reach out. Thank You!
I have never looked at the pharmacist in this way. It just shows how the roles have changed over the years. I am so glad that I could include Imraan’s perspective and insights. I hope this will encourage you to engage with your pharmacist instead of just collecting your medications.
Next week, we have the endocrinologist and podiatrist shedding some light on their roles in the diabetes management team.
Continue the diabetes care and advocacy conversation with ‘not ARTIFICIALLY Sweetened’, a FREE weekly CDE Academy podcast, providing unfiltered reflections on all thing’s diabetes. These podcasts, aimed at both people with diabetes and the health professionals that facilitate their care, offer a free weekly knowledge, attitudes, skills and insight update. Join specialist physician Dr Stan Landau, and diabetes specialist nurse, Michael Brown in building bridges of shared insights between all people touched by diabetes. Now available on Spotify with listeners in 29 countries! If you see value in this podcast, we would appreciate you sharing either of the two image-based adverts attached with any health professional, or person with diabetes you know. If you have any questions, suggestions, comments or contributions for future episodes, please email Stan and Michael @ Podcast@CDEDiabetes.co.za
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The Travellingmind 