THE Philippines ranks the highest in prevalence of peripheral neuropathy (PN) in the Asia-Pacific region, according to a health expert.
PN is a condition in which damage to the peripheral nerves causes symptoms such as numbness, tingling, pain, or weakness, usually in the hands and feet.
Speaking at the P&G Health Asia Pacific Virtual media roundtable for the launch of the first Asia-Pacific Pharmacist Guideline on PN, Dr. Yolanda Robles, president of the Federation of Asian Pharmaceutical Associations and lead author of the guideline, revealed that 58 percent of diabetic patients are affected by peripheral neuropathy — a condition involving damage to the peripheral nerves caused by diabetes.
“This is a huge number of patients who are suffering from peripheral neuropathy that needs care,” Robles said.
To mitigate this prevalence, Robles underscored the crucial role pharmacists play in early detection and management of the condition.
“PN is a hidden burden. They (pharmacists) have to be familiar with the evolving role of the pharmacist in order to develop their trust. It's very important for pharmacies to know who among the patients, especially the diabetic patients coming to the pharmacy, needs help in the management of their peripheral neuropathy,” Robles added.
She emphasized the need to restructure pharmacy workflows to better accommodate patient care, noting the high daily volume of patients in the country.
“I think it will require a restructuring of the workflow in the pharmacy to enable the pharmacies to really dedicate time for engaging with patients. Also, utilize the medic, because I think it's easy with the medicines that they're buying from the pharmacy. The pharmacies will be able to identify those who are taking anti-diabetic medicines and who are needing vitamin B supplementation,” she said.
Robles added that simplifying information materials — such as using easy-to-understand infographics on PN symptoms — could encourage patients to seek early testing and detection. She urged the government to ramp up educational campaigns and fully implement policies that would integrate pharmacists into primary care.
"We need to have the law implemented fully to be able to have pharmacists, to be hired at the primary care center of the government, so that they can also be the ones advocating for this,” Robles added.
The launch of the Pharmacist Guideline on PN aims to serve as a practical framework for pharmacists, focusing on early screening, structured assessments, safe counseling, and timely referrals.
