Hepatitis C Screening in Community Pharmacies-A Feasibility and Knowledge Transfer Study: PHARMA-C.

Background: New strategies are needed to increase access to hepatitis C virus (HCV) testing. This study evaluated the feasibility of HCV rapid testing in community pharmacies in Quebec (Canada) and assessed knowledge transfer (KT).

Methods: PHARMA-C was a 6-month (February to September 2022) prospective KT study. Community pharmacists (CPs) were recruited and trained to identify HCV risk factors, conduct rapid antibody tests (OraQuickHCV), and pre- and post-test counselling, and link positive cases to care. Health care users (HUs) were included according to HCV risk factors. An advisory committee and focus groups provided guidance, feedback, and identified barriers and facilitators to improve the program. A pre- and post-intervention questionnaire was completed by CPs to assess feasibility and KT. HUs completed a satisfaction survey.

Results: A total of 32 CPs were included and 16 performed 101 HCV tests. Two positive cases were identified and linked to care. Comparison of pre- and post-intervention surveys shows that pharmacists felt more confident in identifying HCV risk factors, communicating information to patients related to HCV, and performing the HCV screening test at the end of the intervention. HCV screening in pharmacies was considered feasible by 77.8% of CPs. The intervention lasted approximately 22 minutes. The main barriers to implementation were lack of time and fear of stigmatizing HUs. Promotional material and training were the main facilitators.

Conclusion: HCV point-of-care testing by CPs is feasible in Quebec. Expanding pharmacists' scope of practice to include HCV screening and increasing pharmacists' role in the HCV care cascade is encouraged in order to further efforts toward HCV elimination.