Theme: Epidemiology & Public Health Research Year: 2024
Background: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a global public health concern, affecting 58 million people worldwide. By 2030, the World Health Organisation aims to reduce new HCV-related infections and deaths by 80% and 65% respectively. Existing pharmacist-led models of care to increase HCV testing and treatment have been adopted internationally, however little is known about pharmacists’ willingness to perform such tasks in Australia. This study aims to explore community pharmacists’ willingness and preparedness to discuss and offer HCV testing and treatment.
Methods: Australian community pharmacists were invited to participate in an anonymous survey. Pharmacists were asked questions relating to stocking and supplying HCV medications and their comfort and willingness to offer HCV testing and treatment. Pharmacy and pharmacist-related characteristics were also captured. Binary logistic regression analysis was used to identify correlates of comfort and willingness to offer HCV treatment, using SPSS V29.
Results: One in five pharmacists stocked HCV medications (n=117, 22%). Females had significantly reduced odds of being comfortable discussing HCV testing (95%CI [0.45 -0.98], p=0.039), compared to males. Pharmacies in rural/remote settings (95%CI [1.04, 2.35], p=0.03) and pharmacists that provide opioid agonist treatment (95%CI [1.16, 2.49], p=0.006) had higher odds of being willing to offer HCV testing, as were pharmacists who indicated they were comfortable discussing overdose prevention (95%CI [1.31, 2.80], p=0.001). Pharmacists with >15 years’ experience (95%CI [0.44, 0.94], p=0.022) and those in Queensland (95%CI [0.22, 0.65], p<0.0001) and Victoria (95%CI [0.26, 0.76], p=0.003), had reduced odds of being willing to offer HCV testing, compared with pharmacists with <15 years’ experience and those in New South Wales, respectively.
Conclusion: This is the first Australian study to explore pharmacists’ willingness and preparedness to discuss and offer HCV treatment. Targeted training and education for subpopulations who were less comfortable and willing, may increase HCV testing in community pharmacies.
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