It is the only true measurement of how the patient manages his disease. However, the results of the HgbA1c are much more conclusive and are not easily manipulated. Therefore, it provides the physician indisputable information regarding the patients habits. Based on this knowledge, the physician can then determine the best course of treatment. Even if pharmacists were able to conduct the test, they do not possess the training or education to interpret the results.
Physicians utilize the test results to make specific diet and insulin dosage recommendations.
This is not considered to be within the pharmacist s scope of practice. Therefore, MAG does not believe that the pharmacist benefits the patient since pharmacists do not possess adequate training and education to interpret test results, pharmacists would have to refer the patient to the physician. Once again, at this point the physician would conduct his own test to ensure the accuracy of the test results. This situation also presents a question of liability. In this scenario, the physician will undoubtedly repeat the test even if he or she does not necessarily believe it should be done to ensure the test was not a false-positive.