Pharmacist Authority to Provide Viral Hepatitis Prevention, Testing, and Treatment Services
The viral hepatitis epidemic in the United States represents a significant public health challenge, particularly in communities facing systemic barriers to healthcare. Addressing this epidemic will require expanded access to prevention and treatment services, and the integration of viral hepatitis services into locations that community members are already familiar with has been shown to further support interventions.
Given their accessible hours and settings, trust within communities, and ability to provide healthcare services, pharmacists are well-positioned to potentially play a greater role in viral hepatitis prevention, screening, and treatment. Policies that authorize pharmacists to provide services may help to increase healthcare access and ensure that individuals at risk of viral hepatitis have paths to care.
This issue brief explores the following topics:
- Viral Hepatitis in the United States
- Pharmacist Scope of Practice
- Collaborative Practice Agreements
- Reimbursement for Pharmacist Clinical Services
- Prior Authorization Requirements for Hepatitis C Treatment
Pharmacies present a unique opportunity to advance efforts to end the viral hepatitis epidemic. Establishing the necessary legal authority for pharmacist-provided viral hepatitis services may be an important strategy when seeking to increase access to services with the goal of ending the viral hepatitis epidemic.
For more information or technical assistance, please contact Grace Lee Parr.
Acknowledgements
Additional funding for this initiative is provided by the Policy Innovation Exchange, which is supported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of a financial assistance award totaling $750,000 with 100 percent funded by CDC/HHS. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by CDC/HHS, or the U.S. Government.
NASTAD would like to express their gratitude to the National Alliance of State Pharmacy Associations (NASPA) for their valuable guidance and resources, particularly regarding the jurisdictional overview of pharmacist authority to administer HBV vaccines and other vaccines from the adult immunization schedule. Their support has been instrumental in shaping this research on pharmacist-initiated viral hepatitis services.