Community pharmacists and their teams have an important role in helping to prevent type 2 diabetes in those at risk by providing support and education to help customers and patients manage and reduce their risk. Self-management is vital to disease prevention and maintaining well-being.
 
The NHS England Diabetes Prevention Programme (NHS DPP), which started in June 2016, arose from the NHS Five Year Forward View’s focus on disease prevention and the promotion of health and well-being. The core goals of the NHS DPP are for people to achieve a healthy weight, align eating habits with national dietary recommendations and accomplish the recommendations regarding physical activity.
 
Clinical commissioning groups/sustainability and transformation partnerships/primary care networks and local authorities are all responsible for supporting identification and referral of people with NDH. Primary care engagement is vital to effective implementation of the NHS DPP.
 
Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales have similar programmes promoting risk awareness, risk identification and supporting people to make healthier choices and necessary lifestyle changes to prevent type 2 diabetes.

Prevention programmes

Diabetes prevention programmes comprise two integrated components:

• Risk identification services
• Intensive lifestyle change programmes.

Data from the Diabetes Prevention Programme in England for 2017-18 suggest approximately 37 per cent of those offered to take part in the programme declined. Community pharmacies are the ideal places to engage with these people to educate them about prediabetes and the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

The NHS Long Term Plan published earlier this year outlines strategies to continue the NHS DPP including a new digital route of access to widen patient choice, especially for those of working age.