Feasibility and outcomes of a hepatitis C screening programme in community pharmacies.

To ascertain the feasibility and outcomes of point-of-care testing for hepatitis C virus (HCV) antibodies in people with risk factors screened in community pharmacies. Ten pharmacies in the Waitematā District Health Board piloted point-of-care antibody HCV screening with consenting participants. Individuals with a positive HCV antibody result had a confirmatory HCV RNA test performed at a local laboratory, with pharmacist follow-up to discuss the result. RNA positive individuals were referred to their general practitioner for further follow-up including antiviral therapy. Number of tests, number of positives and number treated were collected. Pharmacists completed a survey about their experiences. Of 192 participants, seven (3.6%) had positive tests on screening, four of whom had a positive RNA assay and received HCV medication, and one of whom had a positive RNA assay but has not yet received treatment. Two had negative RNA results. Pharmacist feedback was very positive with most wishing to continue the point-of-care testing service. Most wanted to be able to treat HCV in order to improve linkage to care. Pharmacy point-of-care testing with immediate results and pharmacist follow-up of positive results can aid diagnosis of HCV in at-risk populations and help treatment uptake.

Déclaration de conflit d'intérêts

NG is a member of the Board of the Pharmaceutical Society of New Zealand, and has received funding from Green Cross Health, the Pharmaceutical Society and the Pharmacy Guild of New Zealand. She has no other relevant interests to report. JP reports honorariums from pharmaceutical companies for speaking on HCV, and has no other relevant interests to report. EG reports being Chair of the Ministry of Health Hepatitis C Implementation Committee, and Chair of the Northern Regional DHB Alliance Hepatitis C Steering Group.