Highly Commended
Hepatitis C Testing in Community Pharmacies: A Ground-Breaking Partnership Pilot Project
Summary of work
Around 160,000 people in England are living with hepatitis C (HCV) and almost half of these people are undiagnosed. New treatments can cure the virus in more than 95% of patients but, if left untreated, hepatitis C can cause cirrhosis, liver cancer and death. Hepatitis C disproportionately affects vulnerable and socially excluded communities, and over half of people who inject drugs in London have hepatitis C.
The London Joint Working Group on Substance Use and Hepatitis C (LJWG) brought together local authorities, CCGs, patient groups, hepatologists and pharmacists to pilot offering free, accessible, point-of-care hepatitis C testing in 9 pharmacies in London that offer needle exchange services, with direct pathways into treatment. During the four-month groundbreaking pilot, half of those tested (53%) had hepatitis C antibodies and people are being treated and cured of hepatitis C as a result. Due to this success, phase two of the pilot is underway in London and further pilots are being developed in Manchester and Birmingham.
The LJWG is a unique partnership of health professionals, patient groups, industry and public health experts working together across London, in support of NHS England’s ambition to eliminate hepatitis C by 2025.
Judges’ comments
The work by LJWG on Substance Use and Hepatitis C, MSD and Principle Consulting showed a real ability to impact patient’s lives, and has the potential to improve treatment for all the patients in the pathway. This small pilot is well thought through with good planning and good training, identifying potential patients and getting those with Hep C treated to save their lives.
