Implementation of a Hepatitis C Collaborative Drug Therapy Management Service in an HIV Ambulatory Care Clinic

Abstract

Purpose: Being the leading cause of liver disease and hepatocellular carcinoma, the hepatitis C virus (HCV) has become a growing public health threat within the United States. Of those individuals infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), approximately 25% are co- infected with HCV. Establishment of a hepatitis C collaborative drug therapy management (CDTM) service can expand the role of pharmacists in an interdisciplinary team improving health outcomes for an underserved HIV/HCV co-infected patient population. Summary: In 2016, physicians and pharmacists identified a need to establish Hepatitis C pharmacy services in an HIV clinic. Through the recent establishment of CDTM and implementation of pharmacy services, pharmacists are now given the autonomy to manage patients co-infected with HIV/HCV. It is believed that the addition of a clinical pharmacist to an interdisciplinary team will lead to improved SVR rates, adherence, and clinic revenue, as well as decreased ADRs and drug-drug interactions among co-infected patients. Conclusion: Implementation of HCV pharmacy services directed towards HIV/HCV co- infection is an essential patient-centered strategy addressing complex medication-related problems in an attempt to achieve optimal therapeutic outcomes. A single-centered, prospective study to evaluate HCV pharmacy services at the Treatment for Life Center clinic is currently ongoing. Conflict of Interest We declare no conflicts of interest or financial interests that the authors or members of their immediate families have in any product or service discussed in the manuscript, including grants (pending or received), employment, gifts, stock holdings or options, honoraria, consultancies, expert testimony, patents and royalties Type: Clinical Experience

Keywords

• Hepatitis C, Clinical Pharmacy Service, Public Health, Collaborative Drug Therapy Management