- βCGM users lowered A1C by 2.94% vs 2.05% in the standard care group over just 90 days
- βThe improvement was statistically significant, confirming it wasn't due to chance
- βBetter outcomes were achieved without requiring more pharmacist time or check-in calls
| Journal | American journal of health-system pharmacy : AJHP : official journal of the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists |
| Year | 2026 |
| Authors | DeBoest, Holley, Hickey |
| PMID | 41359502 |
What Was Studied and Why It Matters
Many people with type 2 diabetes struggle to get their blood sugar under control even when they're taking insulin. Researchers at a primary care clinic wanted to know whether adding a real-time continuous glucose monitor (CGM) β a small wearable device that tracks blood sugar around the clock β to an already strong pharmacist-led care program could make a meaningful difference. This matters because high A1C levels (a measure of average blood sugar over three months) increase the risk of serious complications like kidney disease, nerve damage, and heart problems.
What the Researchers Did
The study included 57 adults with type 2 diabetes whose A1C was 9% or higher despite already being on basal (long-acting) insulin. All patients worked with a pharmacist trained in diabetes management. One group of 30 patients received this standard pharmacist care as usual. A second group of 27 patients received the same pharmacist care plus a Dexcom G6 real-time CGM, which shows live glucose readings and alerts users to highs and lows. Researchers tracked A1C changes over 90 days.
What They Found
Both groups improved, but the CGM group improved significantly more:
- The standard care group lowered their A1C by an average of 2.05%
- The CGM group lowered their A1C by an average of 2.94%
- That difference was statistically meaningful β meaning it's very unlikely to be due to chance
The number of pharmacist check-in calls didn't differ significantly between the two groups, which suggests the CGM helped patients and providers make better decisions without requiring more staff time.
What This Means for Real Patients
If your A1C is well above goal and you're already on insulin, wearing a CGM could be the missing piece. Real-time glucose data helps you β and your care team β see patterns, catch dangerous lows, and adjust your treatment faster than waiting for a lab result every few months. A nearly 3% drop in A1C in just 90 days is a clinically significant result that could meaningfully reduce your risk of long-term complications.
For patients exploring CGM options, MDS Diabetes carries a wide range of continuous glucose monitoring supplies, making it easy to get started or stay stocked with the devices your care team recommends.
Bottom Line
Adding a real-time CGM to pharmacist-managed diabetes care produced significantly better blood sugar improvements than pharmacist care alone β without requiring extra staff effort. If you're on insulin and struggling to hit your A1C goal, talk to your care team about whether a CGM could help you reach it faster.