ANF and ULS Loures-Odivelas establish direct referral pathway following HIV and hepatitis screening for the first time

On Wednesday, 21 October, the National Association of Pharmacies (ANF) and the Loures-Odivelas Local Health Unit (ULSLOD) signed a protocol establishing a formal, direct referral pathway to this healthcare unit for people who receive reactive results from rapid HIV and hepatitis B and C tests conducted at community pharmacies within its catchment area.

This is the first time a protocol has been formalised to establish an integrated, community-based, person-centred care model, linking early detection in pharmacies with confirmatory testing and clinical follow-up within the SNS. The agreement provides for direct communication between the parties and aims to ensure continuity of care for people with reactive results and reduce the risk of loss to follow-up after screening.

For Ema Paulino, President of ANF, the new model represents an important step towards greater coordination between different levels of healthcare, recognising the role pharmacies play in people's health journeys. «Because of their proximity to local communities, community pharmacies have the advantage of engaging with a large proportion of the population on a daily basis, particularly those who have less contact with healthcare services or are less likely to undergo screening. These interactions represent more than opportunities to intervene; they also entail responsibilities, particularly in promoting health and preventing disease and, above all, in identifying people at risk and those who need referral to other levels of care», she said.

Miguel Lemos, Chair of the ULSLOD Executive Board, highlighted the importance of integrating community pharmacies into the development of a more coordinated, prevention-oriented healthcare network. «As healthcare professionals, we must prioritise prevention, take proactive action and anticipate problems. This is an important step and a clear example of what can be done to fulfil the mission of the SNS and the healthcare system. Pharmacies can contribute to better outcomes and improved health», he said.

This vision of collaboration between different levels of healthcare for the benefit of people's health was also reiterated by Sandra Pereira, Director of Nursing at ULSLOD: «It makes perfect sense to have partners such as community pharmacies involved in this concept of Local Health Units, an open-door approach in which all stakeholders are welcome to optimise patient pathways and achieve better health outcomes».

Continuity of care for people with reactive results is particularly important in HIV and hepatitis B and C screening. These infections remain a public health challenge and timely intervention is essential to help interrupt transmission chains. Portugal continues to report HIV figures above the European average, with a significant proportion of late diagnoses. In this context, Francisco Leal Rocha, a public health physician, emphasised the need to tackle the stigma still associated with these infections, highlighting the accessibility of pharmacies and the option of anonymous testing as important advantages.

The protocol signing ceremony was also attended by António Alexandre and Alexandre Tomás, both members of the ULSLOD Executive Board; Alda Monteiro, Clinical Director for Primary Healthcare; and Vanessa Silva, a specialist nurse in community nursing. Representing ANF, attendees also included Ana Tenreiro, member of the Board; Nuno Cardoso, Director-General; António Teixeira Rodrigues, Director of Health Solutions and Evidence (DSES); and Sónia Romano, from DSES. All participants highlighted the value of this initiative as an important example of coordination between community pharmacies and the SNS, with the potential to be replicated in other regions of the country.

The protocol falls under the project “Bringing Screening Closer to Communities: Expanding Access to HIV, HBV and HCV Screening through Community Pharmacies”, part of the FOCUS Programme. The programme is being implemented in participating community pharmacies in the municipalities of Amadora, Sintra, Odivelas and Loures and is aimed at people aged over 18.