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Article

Outcomes of pharmacist-led diabetes care intervention in Lao PDR: A randomized controlled trial

Phoutsathaphone Sibounheuang1,2, Phayom Sookaneknun Olson3,4, Pattarin Kittiboonyakun5, Vasana Vongvandy6, Santiparp Sookaneknun7, Suchada Soorapan8, Alan H. Lau9, Chanuttha Ploylearmsang10★★ Corresponding author

  1. 1Ph.D. program, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mahasarakham University, Kharmrieng Sub-District, Kantarawichai District, Mahasarakham, 44150, Thailand.
  2. 2Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Health Sciences, Samsenthai Road, Kao Ngot Village, Sisattanak District, Vientiane Capital, Lao PDR.
  3. 3International Primary Care Research Unit, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mahasarakham University, Kharmrieng Sub-District, Kantarawichai District, Mahasarakham, 44150, Thailand.
  4. 4Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, UCSI University, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
  5. 5Health Service and Pharmacy Practice Research and Innovation Unit, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mahasarakham University, Khamriang Sub-District, Kantarawichai District, Maha Sarakham, 44150, Thailand.
  6. 6Internal Medicine, Mahosot Hospital, Quai Fa Ngum, Ban KaoNyot, Sisattanak District, Vientiane, Lao PDR.
  7. 7Mahasarakham Business School, Mahasarakham University, Khamriang Sub-District, Kantarawichai District, Maha Sarakham, 44150, Thailand.
  8. 8Faculty of Pharmacy, Thammasat University, 99 Moo 18 Paholyothin Road Klong Luang, Rangsit, Pathum Thani 12120, Thailand.
  9. 9Department of Pharmacy Practice, College of Pharmacy, University of Illinois Chicago, 833 South Wood Street, Chicago, Illinois, USA.
  10. 10International Primary Care Practice Research Unit, Mahasarakham University, Khamriang Sub-District, Kantarawichai District, Maha Sarakham, 44150, Thailand.

CORRESPONDENCE

Chanuttha Ploylearmsang

International Primary Care Practice Research Unit, Mahasarakham University, Khamriang Sub-District, Kantarawichai District, Maha Sarakham, 44150, Thailand.

chanuttha.p@msu.ac.th

Received: 16-06-2024; Accepted: 30-10-2024.

Volume 23, Issue 3 · pp. 1–11 · PUBLISHED 28 August 2025 · DOI: 10.18549/PharmPract.2025.3.3299

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ABSTRACT

Background: Pharmaceutical care for diabetic patients has demonstrated benefits in many countries. Nevertheless, in Laos, diabetes care has been provided without pharmacists’ involvement. This study aimed to evaluate the outcomes of pharmacist-led interventions in diabetes care in Laos. Methods: A single blinded randomized controlled trial with pre-test and post-test was designed. The study was undertaken in type 2 diabetes patients registered at a hospital from June 2019 to July 2020. Patients in the intervention group received pharmaceutical care in six months, while the control group received standard care. Primary outcomes were hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) and fasting plasma glucose. Secondary outcomes included blood pressure, lipid profiles, renal function, 10-year risk, patient satisfaction, and quality of life. Intention-to-treat analysis was applied. Results: One hundred forty-four diabetes patients were recruited and randomly assigned to groups (73 intervention, 71 control); 121 included in the analysis (64 intervention, 57 control). Of the 67 pharmacist’s interventions, adding statin/aspirin (doctor acceptance rate of 79.10%) was predominant. After six months, achievement of hemoglobin A1c and LDL goals showed improvement (OR 1.31, 95%CI .50-3.43, p=.589; OR 1.35, 95%CI .61-3.01, p=.465), however, no statistically significant differences in clinical outcomes were found between groups. Compared to the pretest, the intervention group showed significant improvements in HbA1c, cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein levels (p<.05). Nevertheless, the control group also showed significant improvement in HbA1c (p<.05). Patient satisfaction with pharmacists’ competency was statistically significantly higher in the intervention group than the control group (p=.010). Conclusion: Pharmacist-led diabetes care could provide clinical benefits and improve patient satisfaction to pharmacists’ competency. Although pharmacist’s intervention did not yield statistically better clinical outcomes than usual care, there was a trend toward better HbA1c and cholesterol controls. Continuous pharmacists’ contributions in diabetes care with advancing the collaborative protocol should be further supported. Trial registration: Thai Clinical Trials Registry: TCTR20200707003 on July 2, 2020—retrospectively registered, https://www.thaiclinicaltrials.org/show/TCTR20200707003.

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    Sibounheuang, P., Olson, P. S., Kittiboonyakun, P., Vongvandy, V., Sookaneknun, S., Soorapan, S., Lau, A. H., & Ploylearmsang, C. (2025). Outcomes of pharmacist-led diabetes care intervention in Lao PDR: A randomized controlled trial. Pharmacy Practice, 23(3), 1–11. https://doi.org/10.18549/PharmPract.2025.3.3299