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Poster Session I: STI Testing Programs

(P93) EXPANDING ACCESS TO STI SERVICES THROUGH COMMUNITY PHARMACY PARTNERSHIPS AND STI SELF- COLLECTION KITS

Tuesday, September 17, 2024
4:15 PM - 5:15 PM EST
Background:
Most Americans live ≤5 miles from a pharmacy so there is significant potential for them to serve as access points for STI testing and treatment delivery in underserved communities. To understand how pharmacies might play this role, 2 local health departments (LHD) piloted partnership models with community pharmacies using LHD-funded self-collected STI testing kits for chlamydia and gonorrhea (CT/GC).

Methods:
Starting October 2022, Linn (Iowa) and Allegheny (Pennsylvania) counties formed pharmacy partnerships. Nine pharmacies in Linn offered free STI kits provided by the LHD; some with bathrooms for onsite self-collection (n=4); otherwise, kits could be taken home and mailed back. For Allegheny, pharmacy access (n=1) and treatment were integrated into an existing STI campaign. Individuals could order a free kit online from the LHD and have it delivered to their chosen address or the pharmacy. In both models, patients mailed their specimen to the contracted lab for processing with results available to both the patient and LHD via an online portal. Positive patients could receive expedited treatment from the participating pharmacies.

Results:
As of December 2023 in Linn, 47/570 kits were picked up at the pharmacy, with a 77% return rate; 10% identified as MSM; 8% tested positive, and 0 were treated at the pharmacy. In Allegheny, 107 kits were ordered to the pharmacy and 1,273 to another location with a 42% (n=542) return rate including 22% (n=24) ordered to the pharmacy. Overall, 36% were 3-site kits; 8% were positive for CT/GC (majority CT, one coinfection); and 5 were treated at the pharmacy.

Conclusion:
Integration of STI self-collection kits into community pharmacies is feasible and increases access to testing and treatment. Both models reached MSM and detected infection outside of the clinic setting in underserved areas. Further investigation is needed to assess true demand and young adult familiarity with community pharmacies.