New York State Department of Health Announces Eight New York Pharmacies Receive National Accreditation to Provide Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support Services through Grant Provided by the Department

Services help people with diabetes manage their condition and increase access to education in communities

ALBANY, N.Y. (May 11, 2022) - The New York State Department of Health today announced that eight new community pharmacies have received national accreditation to provide diabetes self-management education and support (DSMES) services. This accreditation highlights pharmacists as valuable partners in chronic disease management and identifies pharmacies as accessible healthcare locations in communities across New York State.

The pharmacies were accredited by the Association of Diabetes Care and Education Specialists (ADCES) and are members of the Community Pharmacy Enhanced Services Network of New York (CPESN NY), an independent practice association of nearly 300 community pharmacies focused on advancing community-based pharmacy practice. This initiative to increase access to DSMES services was supported by a grant from the New York State Department of Health's Diabetes Prevention and Control Program through a cooperative agreement with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Division of Diabetes Translation.

"Pharmacists are among the most accessible healthcare professionals with 90% of Americans living within 5 miles of a pharmacy. People go to their pharmacies for diabetes medications and supplies, so it's a convenient place to learn more about how to manage diabetes," said State Health Commissioner Dr. Mary T. Bassett."We recognize pharmacies as valuable partners in chronic disease management."

The COVID-19 pandemic underscored the importance of maintaining good diabetes control, as people with diabetes are especially vulnerable to severe illness and death from the virus. DSMES is proven to lower A1C (a test that measures how well diabetes is managed), reduce diabetes-related complications, and result in fewer hospital admissions and readmissions. An estimated 1.58 million adult New Yorkers (10.3%) have diagnosed diabetes. Prevalence is higher among Black non-Hispanic adults, and Hispanic adults; and is more common among older adults, adults with lower household incomes and educational attainment, and adults living with a disability.

"People see their primary care provider 3 or 4 times a year, but they go to their pharmacy over 30 times a year. Diabetes can be overwhelming. Offering DSMES services at the community pharmacy allows people living with diabetes to have the support they need," said Dr. Christopher Daly, CPESN- NY Grant Coordinator.

DSMES services help teach people to manage their diabetes and be as healthy as possible by focusing on behaviors including healthy eating, being active, monitoring blood sugar, taking medication, problem solving, and healthy coping. DSMES services are provided in a range of settings, including primary care practices, hospitals, and diabetes centers. The eight newly accredited pharmacies listed below join the more than 100 providers in New York State accredited to provide DSMES services. Contact any of the newly accredited pharmacies or work with your healthcare provider to obtain the required referral.

For more information about DSMES or to find a DSMES location near you, please visit: https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/dsmes/dsmes-living-with-diabetes.html

Newly Accredited Pharmacies:

  • Alden Pharmacy, Alden, NY
  • Allure Specialty Pharmacy, Bronx, NY
  • Bartles Pharmacy, Oxford, NY
  • Cornerstone Drug and Gift, Rouses Point, NY
  • Drug Mart, New York, NY
  • ESCO Drug Company, New York, NY
  • Mt. Carmel Pharmacy, Bronx, NY
  • Niagara Apothecary, Inc., Niagara Falls, NY