Treatment of patients with HIV or hepatitis C by pharmacist clinicians in a patient-centered medical home

PURPOSE: This report describes an innovative pharmacy practice model assisting in the care of patients living with or at risk of acquiring human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and/or hepatitis C virus (HCV). SUMMARY: In the state of New Mexico, pharmacists can obtain prescribing privileges through a Pharmacist Clinician (PhC) license. The license allows PhCs to assess patients, order laboratory/diagnostic tests, prescribe medication, and bill select insurances. PhCs have developed a practice model for patients living with or at risk of HIV and/or HCV at a Level 3 National Committee for Quality Assurance Patient-Centered Medical Home in Albuquerque, New Mexico. In 2015, 5 PhCs, employed part time, were involved with 8 different clinics: (1) HIV Adherence and Complex Care, (2) HIV Transitions of Care, (3) HCV Mono- and Co-Infection, (4) HIV Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP), (5) HIV Primary Care and Cardiovascular Risk Reduction, (6) Young Adult Clinic, (7) Perinatal HIV, and (8) Pediatric HIV. In 2015, PhCs at the clinic billed for 774 direct patient encounters. CONCLUSION: Pharmacists with the PhC license are able to provide high-quality medical care to patients living with or at risk of HIV and/or HCV infections within an interprofessional medical home model.