CVS educates consumers on diabetes care

WOONSOCKET, R.I. CVS/pharmacy is educating patients about managing and preventing diabetes during American Diabetes Month in November. The retailer also is offering money-saving specials during the month on products for patients with diabetes.

By working in collaboration with the American Diabetes Association, CVS/pharmacy has created a free educational resource booklet, "Diabetes: Solutions for Life," which is available at all CVS/pharmacy locations nationwide and provides patients with information on diabetes symptoms, risk factors, successful disease management and ways to prevent diabetes through healthy choices. The booklet also features over $100 in money-saving offers on OTC products, meters and test strips, and healthy food items through the CVS ExtraCare program.

"It is important for patients to know that their CVS pharmacist is a resource in the development of their diabetes treatment plan," said Papatya Tankut, RPh, vp of pharmacy professional services at CVS/pharmacy. "Our pharmacists are always available to speak with their diabetes patients about over-the-counter medicines and other prescriptions they are taking and to offer counseling on medication compliance, side effects and potential drug interactions."

During November's American Diabetes Month, more than 700 CVS/pharmacy stores will hold Meter Day events, which will offer blood glucose meter demonstrations, disease state management discussions, educational literature and free meter coupons.

CVS.com also has launched a diabetes awareness Web site at www.CVS.com/Diabetes. The site features excerpts from the booklet, special product offers, links to the American Diabetes Association's MyFoodAdvisor Web site and to CVS.com's Diabetes Self Care Center and dates and locations for CVS/pharmacy's in-store Meter Days.