Pharmacist Intervention in Treatment of Patients With Genotype 1 Chronic Hepatitis C

Opportunities and Considerations for Pharmacist Intervention in the Management of the Chronic Hepatitis C Patient

“…2 In the March 2009 issue of JMCP, Mariño et al presented the results of their assessment of a pharmacist intervention in treatment of genotype 1 chronic HCV patients. 3 They described a multidisciplinary team in which pharmacists provided drug therapy management; education, including information about storage, methods for drug administration, management for potential drug reactions and missed doses; and support. 3 In the same issue, Spooner discussed the potential benefits of, and highlighted barriers to, pharmacist involvement in HCV management.…”

“…3 They described a multidisciplinary team in which pharmacists provided drug therapy management; education, including information about storage, methods for drug administration, management for potential drug reactions and missed doses; and support. 3 In the same issue, Spooner discussed the potential benefits of, and highlighted barriers to, pharmacist involvement in HCV management. 4 Spooner reinforced the perception that pharmacists could naturally fill the role of providing care for patients with HCV in a way that is similar to their already established roles in management of other chronic disease states.…”

“…The overall rate of sustained viral response (SVR) rate demonstrated by Mariño et al was 48%, which is consistent with previously reported studies in genotype 1 patients. 3,5,6 The authors surmised that the SVR rate could be partially attributed to the pharmacist interventions intended to increase adherence rates. 3 Mariño et al shed further light on the importance of the pharmacist's role on the multidisciplinary team in the care of the difficult-to-treat genotype 1 HCV patient.…”

The Critical Need for Pharmacist Involvement in the Management of Patients With Hepatitis C

“…3 A convenience sample of 50 treatment-naïve patients initiating therapy with once-weekly subcutaneous peginterferon alfa-2b and twice-daily oral ribavirin received consultation from pharmacists throughout the entire course of therapy. Pharmacists provided oral and written disease and drug information, including education about treatment of adverse drug reactions, proper storage of medications, methods of drug administration, and management of missed doses.…”

“…Additionally, the overall mean adherence rate was 85.7%; the adherence rate in the patients achieving SVR was an impressive 95.5%. 3 The authors are commended for focusing their study on the benefits of pharmacist involvement in management of chronic HCV infection. They intervened on patients with genotype 1 virus, a type that is challenging to eradicate due to the lengthy treatment duration required.…”