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The implementation of a hepatitis C testing service in community pharmacies: I-COPTIC consensus statement
C Cook1, L Reid2, A M Elsharkawy3
1University of Southampton, Southampton General Hospital, Tremona Road, Southampton, SO16 6YD, UK.
Public Health
|May 23, 2024
Summary
A consensus statement was developed to create a blueprint for effective community pharmacy Hepatitis C virus (HCV) testing services. This initiative supports HCV elimination goals through accessible pharmacy-based testing.
Area of Science:
- Pharmacy Practice
- Infectious Disease Control
- Public Health
Background:
- Community pharmacies are pivotal in public health services.
- Hepatitis C virus (HCV) elimination requires accessible testing strategies.
- Developing standardized HCV testing services in pharmacies is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a consensus statement for an effective community pharmacy-based HCV testing service blueprint.
- To establish a gold standard for pharmacy HCV testing implementation.
Main Methods:
- A modified Delphi process involving 24 diverse experts.
- Three rounds of data collection: free-text responses, thematic analysis, and Likert scale ratings.
- Consensus statements were reviewed by a patient and public involvement panel.
Main Results:
- Achieved consensus on 60 statements after three rounds.
- High participant response rates (100%, 96%, 88%).
- Developed the I-COPTIC statement and a graphical summary for pharmacy HCV testing.
Conclusions:
- A comprehensive blueprint for community pharmacy HCV testing services was successfully developed.
- The I-COPTIC statement is expected to facilitate the successful implementation of pharmacy-based HCV testing.
- Community pharmacy testing is vital for achieving and sustaining HCV elimination.
