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Preparing for pharmacy-based delivery of long-acting injectable antiretrovirals: a pre-implementation study
Jennifer Cocohoba1, Yvette Cuca2, Elizabeth Sherman3,4
1Department of Clinical Pharmacy, University of California San Francisco School of Pharmacy, 521 Parnassus Avenue, C-152, Box 0622, San Francisco, CA, 94143, USA. Jennifer.Cocohoba@ucsf.edu.
BMC Health Services Research
|June 5, 2025
Summary
Community pharmacies can improve access to long-acting injectable antiretroviral therapy (LA-ART) for HIV treatment and prevention. Addressing pharmacy staffing, training, and reimbursement barriers is key to expanding this care model.
Area of Science:
- Implementation Science
- Public Health
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Long-acting injectable antiretroviral therapy (LA-ART) is increasingly used for HIV treatment and prevention.
- Challenges exist in expanding the broad implementation of LA-ART.
- Community pharmacies are a potential setting for LA-ART administration.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore attitudes, barriers, and facilitators for implementing LA-ART administration in community pharmacies.
- To understand pre-implementation factors influencing the adoption of pharmacy-based LA-ART.
Main Methods:
- A mixed-methods study was conducted involving pharmacists, clinic staff, and people with HIV.
- Participants completed surveys and semi-structured qualitative interviews.
- The Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR) guided the interview questions.
Main Results:
- Clinics were the preferred LA-ART administration site, with community pharmacies as the second choice.
- Positive relationships between clinics, pharmacies, and patients facilitated pharmacy-based LA-ART.
- Barriers included concerns about pharmacy staffing, training, space, privacy, and reimbursement.
Conclusions:
- Community pharmacy involvement can enhance access to LA-ART for HIV care.
- Developing best practices to leverage facilitators and overcome barriers is crucial.
- Expanding LA-ART administration in community pharmacies represents a novel model of care.
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