Hepatitis C is caused by a blood borne virus that is spread by contact with infected blood (e.g. by sharing injection needles). It can be treated effectively using direct-acting antiviral agents. NHS England plans to eliminate HCV in England by 2025 – some five years ahead of the World Health Organization goal of elimination. 

The majority of people with HCV are people who inject drugs (PWIDs). Pilot studies have shown that the testing of PWIDs in community pharmacies that provide needle and syringe
services is effective and well received by PWIDs. 

A community pharmacy hepatitis C antibody testing service was added to the Community
Pharmacy Contractual Framework in 2020 as an advanced service starting on September 1.
It attracts a fee of £36.00 per test performed on an eligible PWID, plus the cost of the test kit. Where the test produces a positive result, the PWID will be referred for appropriate further testing and treatment. 

Details of the required training and facilities can be found here.

The NHS England service specification for the service can be found here.