Are Australian pharmacists willing and prepared to offer Hepatitis C services? Findings from a representative sample

Background: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a global public health concern, affecting 58 million people worldwide, resulting in considerable healthcare, economic and disease burden. 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 currently little is known about pharmacists’ willingness to perform such tasks In Australia. The study aims to explore community pharmacists' willingness and preparedness to discuss and offer HCV testing and treatment.
Methods: A representative sample of community pharmacists from four Australian states were invited to participate in an anonymous survey. Pharmacists were asked a series of closed-end questions relating to stocking and supplying HCV medications, experience with HCV testing, and their comfort and willingness to offer HCV testing and treatment. Various pharmacy and pharmacist-related characteristics were also captured. Descriptive statistics were used to summarise the findings, using SPSS V29.
Results: One in five pharmacists stocked HCV medications within their pharmacy (n=117, 22%), while over half (58%) indicated they never recommend HCV testing to pharmacy patients. Just over one in three 36% (n=190) agreed or strongly agreed that they were comfortable discussing HCV testing and treatment with people in their pharmacy, while most were undecided (43%).  Half of pharmacists (48%) were willing to have an outreach HCV testing and treatment team provide these services within their pharmacy.
Conclusion: This study is the first in Australia to explore pharmacists’ willingness and comfort to discuss and offer HCV testing and treatment. Findings suggest that the majority of community pharmacies are not stocking or offering HCV testing or treatment. Despite this, pharmacists are willing to have this service offered within their pharmacy. Pharmacists may benefit from training and education on HCV to increase their comfort in providing patients information.