Release Date
Geography
Language of Resource
Full Text Available
Open Access / OK to Reproduce
Peer Reviewed
Objective
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.
Findings/Key points
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.
Design/methods
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.
