Impact of Pharmacist Counseling on Adherence to Antidiabetic Medications Among Type 2 Diabetic Patients in Makurdi, Benue State, North Central Nigeria

Type 2 diabetes mellitus is a growing public health challenge in Nigeria, with poor medication adherence contributing substantially to inadequate glycemic control and disease-related complications. Pharmacist counseling has been identified internationally as an effective strategy for improving adherence in chronic disease populations. This study assessed the impact of structured pharmacist counseling on adherence to antidiabetic medications among type 2 diabetic patients attending a general hospital in Makurdi, Benue State, North Central Nigeria. A pre-test and post-test quasi-experimental design was used. Sixty patients were recruited and received four structured pharmacist counseling sessions over three months. Adherence was measured using the Morisky Medication Adherence Scale at baseline and at eight-week intervals. Fasting blood glucose levels and glycated hemoglobin were also monitored. Post-intervention, the proportion of patients with high adherence increased from 28 percent to 61 percent. Mean fasting blood glucose improved significantly from 9.8 mmol/L to 7.1 mmol/L. Patients who completed all four sessions showed the greatest improvement in both adherence and glycemic parameters. The study provides compelling evidence for integrating structured pharmacist counseling into the management of type 2 diabetes at secondary health care facilities in North Central Nigeria. Scaling up this model to other hospitals in the state is recommended as a cost-effective strategy to reduce the burden of diabetic complications. Keywords: pharmacist counseling, antidiabetic adherence, type 2 diabetes, Makurdi, glycemic control