Pharmacists Strained as Diabetes Cases Rise, and Patients are Paying the Price

New report from CCS reveals pharmacists feel overwhelmed by the conflicting demands of their job, prioritizing speed and quantity of prescriptions over time spent educating patients

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--To date, the availability of a pharmacist behind the counter of the local retail pharmacy has been an important resource for people living with chronic conditions like diabetes. However, as the number of diabetes patients continues to grow and pharmacy workloads increase, pharmacists are saying they lack the time and resources to provide the level of education and coaching patients need to stay healthy.

According to a new report engaging more than 100 pharmacists across various settings (retail, community, and more) that was spearheaded by CCS with the support of PureSpectrum, pharmacists are facing rising challenges as they strive to support patients living with diabetes.

This new report specifically revealed:

• Nearly half of pharmacists say people with diabetes are not receiving the education and support they need.
• 74% report their performance is measured mainly on speed and fill rates, limiting patient interaction.
• 93% agree patients prescribed continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) therapy should receive education and coaching, but many pharmacists lack the time to provide it.

Today, more than 38 million Americans live with diabetes, and nearly 100 million more are at risk. By 2030, those numbers are expected to rise sharply—putting even more pressure on primary care providers, specialists, and pharmacists. At the same time, pharmacy closures and workforce shortages are leaving many communities with fewer in-person options for medication and supply support.

Chronic care management providers, like CCS, that specialize in medical supply delivery as well as patient education and coaching, can serve as an extension of the care team, filling the patient coaching gap as pharmacists continue to be stretched thin.

“Pharmacists are deeply committed to their patients, but they are working in a system that often forces them to choose between filling prescriptions and providing patient education and coaching,” said Marian Lowe, Chief Strategy and Development Officer, CCS. “That’s where companies like CCS can help. We can serve as a provider and extension of the patient care team in the home, and can also complement the work of pharmacists by delivering ongoing education, personalized coaching, and connected care for people with diabetes—helping to ease the burden on pharmacies while ensuring high-risk patients don’t fall through the cracks.”

The report underscores the need for a team-based approach to diabetes care, where each healthcare partner plays to their strengths. While pharmacists bring essential expertise in medication and therapy management, companies like CCS are uniquely positioned to extend support outside of the pharmacy, offering patients personalized onboarding to devices such as CGMs, regular coaching, and long-term care coordination.

“As diabetes care becomes more complex, collaboration is critical,” added Lowe. “By working together—pharmacists, physicians, specialists, and DME providers—we can make sure every patient has access to the education, support, and tools they need to succeed.”

To review the full report from CCS, please visit: ccsmed.com/ccs-retail-pharmacy-access/. CCS conducted and analyzed this report in Spring 2025 with independent market research firm PureSpectrum. For more information on PureSpectrum’s methodology, visit www.PureSpectrum.com.

About CCS Medical

CCS is the strategic partner addressing America’s most pressing healthcare challenges through intelligent chronic care management, tackling the $412 billion annual diabetes burden and chronic conditions affecting over 133 million Americans. At the core of CCS’s differentiated model is LivingConnected^®, a human-led, digitally enabled clinical solution. PropheSee™ — an AI-powered predictive model that identifies nonadherence risk and delivers personalized interventions — is an integral part of this solution, creating a first-of-its-kind platform to improve adherence, enhance clinical outcomes, and help prevent costly hospitalizations. By combining data-driven insights with three decades of industry relationships, CCS is the smart choice for health plans, providers, employers, and manufacturers who believe that value-based care starts by keeping patients healthy and delivers benefits like lower cost of care, improved HEDIS scores, and alleviating provider burnout. CCS’s approach extends clinical reach while supporting over 200,000 people nationwide with home-delivered medical supplies and pharmaceuticals annually. Recognized as a Great Place to Work^® and with numerous peer-reviewed publications validating our care management approach, CCS is more than a trusted supplier — we’re a partner in transforming chronic care delivery. To learn more about how CCS is addressing today’s healthcare challenges, visit CCSMed.com or connect with us on LinkedIn.