Exploring the Awareness and Counseling Practices of Community Pharmacists in Libya Regarding Drug Interactions with Oral Hypoglycemic Medications

The increasing prevalence of polypharmacy increases the patient's risk of drug side effects and drug interactions, especially among patients with type 2 diabetes. Pharmacists are essential to provide effective education and counseling to these patients. This study aims to assess the awareness and counseling practice of community pharmacists in Libyan regarding potential drug interactions involving oral hypoglycemic agents in patients with type 2 diabetes. A cross-sectional descriptive study was adapted in 2020 in Tripoli, Libya, and included a questionnaire distributed to 150 community pharmacists. The majority of pharmacists (79%) had a bachelor’s degree, and (45%) of them had (2-4) years of experience. The vast majority (94%) of participants were familiar with the term drug interactions and counseling guidelines for patients with diabetes. (65%) of pharmacists advised diabetic patients on the appropriate times to check blood sugar levels. (84%) were aware of drugs that interact with oral hypoglycemic drugs. (60%) advised patients to visit their physician if a patient came to their community pharmacy to be dispensed sitagliptin and captopril, to avoid drug interactions with oral hypoglycemic drugs. The study revealed that the majority of Libyan pharmacists in community pharmacies were aware of the term drug interactions and advised diabetic patients, were aware of drugs that interact with oral hypoglycemic drugs.