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Provision of Clinical Pharmacist Services for Individuals With Chronic Hepatitis C Viral Infection
Author(s) -
Mohammad Rima A.,
Bulloch Marilyn N.,
Chan Juliana,
Deming Paulina,
Love Bryan,
Smith Lisa,
Dong Betty J.
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
pharmacotherapy: the journal of human pharmacology and drug therapy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.227
H-Index - 109
eISSN - 1875-9114
pISSN - 0277-0008
DOI - 10.1002/phar.1512
Subject(s) - medicine , clinical pharmacy , pharmacy , pharmacist , adverse effect , hepatitis c virus , intensive care medicine , pharmacy practice , pharmaceutical care , health care , family medicine , hepatitis c , immunology , virus , economics , economic growth
The objective of this opinion paper was to identify and describe potential clinical pharmacists’ services for the prevention and management of patients infected with the hepatitis C virus ( HCV ). The goals of this paper are to guide the establishment and development of pharmacy services for patients infected with HCV and to highlight HCV research and educational opportunities. Recommendations were based on the following: a review of published data on clinical pharmacist involvement in the treatment and management of HCV ‐infected patients; a consensus of clinical pharmacists who provide direct patient care to HCV ‐infected patients and practice in different pharmacy models, including community‐based and academic settings; and a review of published guidelines and literature focusing on the treatment and management of HCV infections. The recommendations provided in this opinion paper define the areas of clinical pharmacist involvement and clinical pharmacy practice in the treatment and management of patients with HCV . Clinical pharmacists can promote preventive measures and education about reducing HCV transmission, improve medication adherence, assist in monitoring clinical and adverse effects, recommend treatment strategies to minimize adverse effects and drug interactions, and facilitate medication acquisition and logistics that positively improve patient outcomes and reduce the health care system costs.