LANGLEY, B.C. – In response to the ongoing need for accessible diabetes care and education, Pharmasave and Diabetes Canada are partnering to help Canadians better understand and manage the condition through free virtual education, community pharmacy services and guidance on diabetes monitoring technologies.
The national initiative combines Diabetes Canada's Virtual Diabetes Education Program with access to diabetes monitoring products and personalized pharmacist support at participating Pharmasave locations. A national fundraising campaign will also support Diabetes Canada's education, advocacy and patient support programs during Diabetes Awareness Month this November.
“Managing diabetes isn't simply a matter of making healthier lifestyle choices. It's a complex chronic condition that requires individualized care, access to appropriate treatments and ongoing guidance. As treatment options and monitoring technologies evolve, pharmacists can help patients understand their choices and feel more confident managing their condition day to day,” said Billy Cheung, Head of Pharmacy at Pharmasave.
For Canadians managing diabetes, understanding blood glucose patterns can be an important part of day-to-day care. Advances in continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) are giving eligible patients new ways to track glucose levels, recognize patterns and share information with their healthcare teams.
“What's changing in diabetes care is not just the medications available, but the information patients can access about their condition,” said Cheung. “Continuous glucose monitoring gives patients a much clearer picture of what's happening with their glucose levels throughout the day, rather than relying only on individual readings. But that information is most valuable when patients understand what it means and how to use it. Pharmacists can help people navigate these technologies, understand their treatment options and make informed decisions about their care."
Unlike traditional finger-prick testing, which provides a snapshot of glucose levels at a single point in time, CGM allows users to see how glucose levels change throughout the day and respond to factors such as food, physical activity and medication. These insights can help identify patterns that might otherwise go unnoticed and support more informed discussions with healthcare providers about treatment and diabetes management.
As these technologies become more widely used, pharmacists have an important role in helping patients select appropriate monitoring options, learn how to use their devices, understand glucose trends and recognize when additional medical guidance may be needed.
At participating Pharmasave locations, patients can access diabetes monitoring products and personalized pharmacist support, including guidance on CGM technology. This support goes beyond monitoring blood sugar to helping patients better understand the everyday factors that affect their diabetes management.
Expanding access to education and support during Diabetes Awareness Month this November
During Diabetes Awareness Month, which includes World Diabetes Day on November 14, Pharmasave and Diabetes Canada are working together to help more Canadians access reliable diabetes information and practical support through three initiatives.
1. Free Virtual Diabetes Education
Diabetes Canada's Virtual Diabetes Education Program offers practical, evidence-based guidance on blood glucose management, nutrition, physical activity, medications and strategies to reduce the risk of diabetes-related complications.
2. Diabetes Monitoring and Pharmacist Support
Participating Pharmasave pharmacies provide access to diabetes monitoring products and services, including CGM support where available. Pharmacists can help patients understand monitoring options, manage medications and identify when additional healthcare support may be needed.
3. National Fundraising Campaign
From November 6th to 12th, buy Pharmasave Brand products and proceeds up to $25,000 will be donated to Diabetes Canada, supporting its education, advocacy and patient support programs.
Together, these awareness efforts encourage Canadians to learn more about diabetes, challenge misconceptions and understand the importance of prevention, diagnosis, treatment and ongoing care.
