University Times

Pitt’s School of Pharmacy will be developing a new course in diabetes management that hopes to serve as the model for diabetes management coursework in pharmacy schools nationwide. This groundbreaking initiative will offer pharmacy students, pharmacists-in-training and practicing pharmacists an opportunity to learn the latest information on comprehensive diabetes management. Novo Nordisk, a health care company considered to be a leader in diabetes care, is underwriting the course development through an unrestricted educational grant for $500,000.

“When not managed properly, diabetes can lead to a number of serious complications, including heart disease, stroke, blindness, kidney disease and death,” said Patricia Kroboth, dean of the School of Pharmacy. “Because of their knowledge, skills and access to patients, pharmacists are in a unique position to improve diabetes management on a patient-by-patient basis.”

“Millions of Americans with diabetes rely on their pharmacists to understand their condition and the diabetes care products prescribed by their physicians,” said Martin Soeters, president of Novo Nordisk Inc. “This intensive program in diabetes management will provide pharmacy students and pharmacists the tools to take an active role in their patients’ diabetes care team.”

Titled “An Elective Course in Comprehensive Diabetes Management,” the educational program will be developed over several months with the input of a panel of nationally renowned experts in diabetes management, pharmacy education and instructional development. The panel will create teams of educators to prepare the trainers who will teach the course, and schools of pharmacy will be invited to send faculty members to the regional training sessions.