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.