Diabetes in Australia is now about three times more prevalent than it was 20 years ago, with more than 800,000 of today's Australians having been diagnosed with the disease.

Statistic show about 85-90% of diabetes cases are the Type 2 variety, which begins mainly among the middle aged and is linked to our low levels of exercise and especially to our rising levels of overweight and obesity.

Pharmacists have a pivotal role to play in the management of diabetes by using their expertise to deliver professional services and information to support and assist people with diabetes over the entire course of the disease.

To assist pharmacists optimise patient outcomes, a special stream dedicated to the holistic management of diabetes will be held at PAC10 in Melbourne this year.

The session, on Friday 29 October 2010, will be addressed by Professor Jonathan Shaw, Director, Baker IDI Heart and Diabetes Institute, who will provide a clinical update on diabetes.

He will be followed by Dr Geraldine Moses, consultant drug information pharmacist, Mater Hospital in Brisbane, who will provide an update on the medicines used in the management of diabetes.

With the high incidence of foot problems and lower-limb amputations associated with diabetes, the issue of foot care has become important in diabetes treatment. Dr Kerry May, Manager Podiatry, Diabetic Foot Unit Coordinator, The Royal Melbourne Hospital, will discuss the action pharmacists can take in the prevention and management of these complications.

The rising levels of overweight and obesity in Australia is likely to increase the prevalence of diabetes and Dr Tim Crowe, Senior Lecturer (Nutrition), School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Deakin University, will look at the evidence for different diets in weight reduction - which ones work, which ones don't and safety issues in relation to dieting.

Being held in Melbourne from 28-31 October this year, delegates to PAC10 can also earn up to 35 Continuing Professional Development credits during the congress.

To register or for more details visit pac10.au.