title: Provision of clinical pharmacist services for individuals with chronic hepatitis C viral infection: Joint Opinion of the GI/Liver/Nutrition and Infectious Diseases Practice and Research Networks of the American College of Clinical Pharmacy.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical, Social, and Administrative Sciences, University of Michigan College of Pharmacy, Ann Arbor, Michigan; Department of Inpatient Pharmacy Services, University of Michigan Health System, University Hospital, Ann Arbor, Michigan.
authors.forename: Rima A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Mohammad
authors.forename: Marilyn N
authors.initials: MN
authors.lastname: Bulloch
authors.forename: Juliana
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Chan
authors.forename: Paulina
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Deming
authors.forename: Bryan
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Love
authors.forename: Lisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: Betty J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Dong
authors.lastname: GI Liver Nutrition and Infectious Diseases Practice and Research Networks of the American College of Clinical Pharmacy
mesh_terms: D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D019033:Delivery of Health Care, Integrated; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D010593:Pharmaceutical Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents
keywords: HCV; HCV protease inhibitors; NS5A inhibitors; adherence; adverse effects; clinical pharmacists; direct-acting antivirals; drug interactions; hepatitis C virus; nucleotide polymerase inhibitors; peginterferon; ribavirin