RETIRED travellers with diabetes who embark on holidays need to be better prepared with their medicines, so as to avoid putting undue pressure on regional pharmacists, according to a new Flinders University study.
"The most common issues encountered were around the dispensing of medications, often because they had been left behind, and the need to update equipment and supplies for blood glucose monitoring," said lead researcher Dr Anita De Bellis.
She added the pharmacists surveyed described scripts being out of date, referrals to the National Diabetes Supplies Scheme having expired, and due to a remote location supplies and equipment not being easily sourced.
"While some travellers were well prepared, the pharmacists reported that many were not, and assumed any regional pharmacy was going to be well stocked and able to provide medical guidance around their diabetes management, something they should be speaking with their GP about," De Bellis added.
The development of comprehensive pre-travel checklists, expanding access to My Health Record and telehealth services to include pharmacists, could enhance continuity of care regardless of location, concluded the study's researchers - learn more HERE.
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