Monitoring diabetes mellitus: the pharmacist's role.

The pharmacist is in a unique position to monitor and counsel the patient with diabetes mellitus. Providing these services requires familiarity with both the disease and its contemporary management. Pharmacists can provide the necessary counseling and guidance regarding the myriad products and devices available to the patient and can serve as a resource to the physician and other health care professionals. Pharmacists with a special interest in diabetes are encouraged to develop services that are compatible with their practice resources. This shared-care approach to treatment will help contribute to the goal of a normal lifestyle for the person with diabetes mellitus.