By rdnewsNOW staff

health news

Hepatitis C screening available in Red Deer

Apr 23, 2019 | 10:32 AM

Described as innovative and potentially life-saving, a hepatitis C screening program has launched at London Drugs in Red Deer.

Recent guidelines published by the Canadian Association for the Study of the Liver recommend that all Canadians born between 1945 and 1975 get tested.

“Making testing easy and accessible in the community is critical to get all boomers tested. Testing at the pharmacy will not only help increase awareness of the disease but also expand access to treatment for those who are diagnosed,” says Doug Highman, Pharmacy Manager at London Drugs in Red Deer. “Working collaboratively with other health care professionals, we can ensure those who test positive will get the treatment and follow-up care they need.”

According to Alberta Health Services (AHS), an estimated 24,000 Albertans live with chronic hepatitis C and many are unaware they harbor the blood-borne virus because it can take decades before symptoms become evident.

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“People with hepatitis C may not experience any symptoms until the end stages of the disease. That makes screening and early diagnosis critically important,” says Shannon Brown, Nurse Practitioner who treats hepatitis C patients in the Red Deer area. “There is a lot of misinformation about the disease, but the cure rate is now above 95 per cent with the new treatment options available.”

Red Deer and area residents can now undertake a simple finger prick test at London Drugs, to check if they have been exposed to the hepatitis C virus (HCV). The OraQuick HCV rapid antibody test is said to be more than 99 per cent accurate at detecting HCV antibodies. Results are provided in 20 minutes.

In the event of a positive result, pharmacists send patients for further confirmatory lab testing. The patient will then be connected to a physician – either their family doctor, nurse practitioner or a hepatologist – for diagnosis. Once diagnosed, pharmacists provide education about the curative therapies available. The treatment is relatively simple; it involves taking antiviral medications daily for eight to 12 weeks.

Daryl Luster had undiagnosed symptoms for years as a result of the liver-damaging virus. He is now cured and acts as a Patient Advocate.

“This is a significant initiative between pharmacists and doctors because it will not only help improve access to curative therapy but also help erode the stigma associated with the disease,” says Luster. “I believe the expansion of this program through London Drugs is a significant step towards helping to eliminate hepatitis C.”

Hepatitis C screening is available at London Drugs by appointment at a cost of $24. Appointments can be booked online.

London Drugs will be hosting a complimentary screening clinic on Thursday, April 25. To participate, patients must book an appointment online.

(With file from media release)