1 in 3 American adults has prediabetes. It only takes 1 pharmacist to make a difference. If nothing is done, prediabetes can lead to heart disease, stroke and type 2 diabetes. But with lifestyle change, prediabetes can be stopped or slowed.

Lifestyle change programs offered through the National Diabetes Prevention Program (National DPP) are designed to help participants make lasting behavior changes such as eating healthier, increasing physical activity, and improving skills to cope with stress.

While community pharmacies are in an ideal position to deliver and expand the National DPP, there are several costs associated with participation and ultimately obtaining recognition. Without even considering applying to become a Medicare Diabetes Prevention Program supplier to earn the ability to bill Medicare for classes, these costs include: lifestyle coach training, data collection, and patient recruitment/retention.

NCPA, in collaboration with the Association of Diabetes Care & Education Specialists (ADCES) and OmniSYS, is excited to launch a new Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) — funded initiative to address the financial burdens associated with pharmacies obtaining recognition and get more pharmacies offering National DPP to their patients. NCPA is currently recruiting for the 18 pharmacies who will participate in this project. Those 18 pharmacies will receive the following support:

• ADCES will provide the prerequisite lifestyle coach training approved by the CDC to select pharmacy staff who will deliver National DPP to their patients.

• OmniSYS will make their platform available to participating pharmacies. The platform facilitates intervention, documentation, and education for submission to CDC to obtain preliminary recognition status. All documentation will adhere strictly to the parameters set forth by the HIPAA Privacy Compliance Agreement for Business Associates.

Applications are closed for the first cohort of pharmacies at this time but please continue to refer back to this site for the latest information on DPP.

Helpful links:

• A Culturally and Linguistically Tailored Type 2 Diabetes Prevention Resources Inventory

• National Diabetes Prevention Program

• CDC Diabetes Prevention Recognition Program Standards and Operating Procedures

• ADCES National Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) Lifestyle Coach Trainings

• OmniSYS Clinical Services Platform

For more information contact John Beckner at john.beckner@ncpanet.org.