Building on hepatitis C testing: the potential to identify alcohol-related liver disease through community pharmacy

Abstract

Liver disease is the third biggest cause of premature mortality in the UK. Community pharmacy can effectively identify people with hepatitis C but is not routinely used to identify people with alcohol-related liver disease. Some community pharmacists offer alcohol screening and a brief intervention to reduce alcohol misuse, and evidence has shown that pharmacists can identify a high proportion of people who drink above recommended limits when compared to the general population. A unique attribute of community pharmacies is their accessibility to those from areas of higher deprivation. It is well recognised that alcohol-related mortality is highest in these areas. The ability to identify people who drink alcohol above recommended limits, combined with its accessibility to the populations most at risk of alcohol harm, shows community pharmacy has clear potential to identify people who may have undiagnosed alcohol-related liver disease. However, research is required to optimise and establish how community pharmacists can effectively work in partnership with medical services to ensure these patients receive appropriate ongoing care.