‘I just never wanted them to feel uncomfortable’: Barriers to pharmacy-based identification and treatment of hepatitis C in Victoria, Canada

Original research
par
Selfridge, Marion et al

Date de publication

2024

Géographie

Canada

Langue de la ressource

English

Texte disponible en version intégrale

Oui

Open Access / OK to Reproduce

Non

Évalué par des pairs

Yes

L’objectif

This study seeks to determine whether successes in engaging people who use drugs (PWUD) in HCV therapy (such as in Scotland) with simplified, task-shifted cascade of care, can be replicated at community pharmacies in Victoria BC.

Constatations/points à retenir

This innovative pharmacy-based approach found people with limited connection to primary health care to test and treat HCV but requires more training and support to be more widely feasible.

La conception ou méthodologie de recherche

Four pharmacies who work with PWUD and provide opioid agonist therapy were trained to provide consent and perform point-of-care HCV antibody screening. They were supported by study nurse to link to HCV RNA testing when antibody positive patients were identified, with HCV treatment offered to RNA positive participants. Qualitative interviews were conducted with five pharmacy staff to explore experiences and feasibility of pharmacists in HCV care cascade.

Mots clés

Barriers and enablers
Harm reduction
Wrap-around services