CGMs are a clinical conversation waiting to happen
The rise of over-the-counter CGMs: Why every pharmacist should care
A silent shift is happening in your pharmacy aisle, and most of us are missing it. Next to the vitamins and protein bars, a new kind of health tech now sits quietly on the shelf: the over-the-counter continuous glucose monitor (CGM). Dexcom’s Stelo and Abbott’s Lingo are leading this new category, and here’s the twist, these aren’t just for people with diabetes anymore.
For about $100 a month, anyone, yes, anyone, can now track their blood sugar in real time, no prescription required. This isn’t speculation or a future trend. It’s happening right now, and yet, most pharmacists are treating CGMs as just another OTC product. In truth, it’s one of the biggest opportunities for clinical conversation we’ve seen in years.
Why this matters now
Traditionally, CGMs have been a lifeline for people living with diabetes, helping them titrate insulin and catch dangerous nighttime lows. But as the science evolved, so did the market. Companies started prescribing CGMs off-label to help people build better habits, improve metabolic health, and support weight loss. Now, with retail sales open to all adults, the floodgates are open.
Who’s buying? It’s no longer just those diagnosed with diabetes:
- Pre-diabetic adults trying to make sense of their risk
- People on GLP-1 therapies or other weight loss programs
- Athletes and biohackers seeking optimization
- Curious consumers drawn in by TikToks about “glucose spikes”
Most walk up to the counter with questions, sometimes not even knowing what the numbers mean or how to use the device. And they don’t have a physician explaining what to do with the data.
The pharmacist’s role: Beyond product advice
If you’re a pharmacist, you already know the impact of real-time glucose data in diabetes care, fewer emergencies, more timely interventions, and better patient outcomes. But with OTC CGMs, your expertise is needed more than ever. Interpreting data, teaching patients to use their sensor, explaining what “time in range” means, these are not just nice-to-have skills. They’re essential.
Think of the possibilities:
- A pre-diabetic patient sees their glucose soar after a bagel. That visual hits harder than an abstract lab result.
- Someone starting GLP-1 therapy can see the immediate effect on their blood sugar, fueling adherence and healthier choices.
- Every CGM sold is a relationship and revenue opportunity: device setup, data review, ongoing counseling.
- Imagine sending a CGM-informed recommendation to a prescriber: “Patient’s post-meal spikes are stubborn, let’s discuss med options.” That’s the kind of collaboration that elevates your practice.
What’s next? Integration, innovation, and impact
This is only the beginning. The CGM market is growing, fast. Integration with GLP-1 medications, patient monitoring platforms, and even AI-powered coaching apps is already underway. By 2027, expect CGM data to feed directly into EHRs, driving real-time therapy adjustments. The pharmacists who engage now will be the ones trusted to interpret and act on this data in the future.
Three steps you can take this week
Ready to move beyond the box on the shelf? Here’s what I recommend:
- Try a CGM yourself for two weeks. There’s no substitute for personal experience. For $100, you’ll forever change how you counsel patients.
- Build a counseling checklist for your team. Include sensor application, app pairing, interpreting data, and what to do if numbers go high or low.
- Flag every GLP-1 prescription as a CGM counseling opportunity. These patients are already invested in their metabolic health—meet them where they are.
The clinical conversation starts with you
The arrival of OTC CGMs is not just a new sales category. It’s an open invitation to pharmacists to step forward as trusted guides in the journey toward metabolic health, for patients with diabetes and far beyond.
Are you ready for that conversation when it comes to your counter?
How will you use this new tool to change lives?
