Clinical Pharmaceutical Services for People Living with HIV: A Scoping Review
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Background
Pharmacist-led clinical services play a crucial role in the care of people living with HIV (PLWH), contributing to adherence, therapeutic optimization, and improved health outcomes. This scoping review aimed to map and describe pharmacist-led services for PLWH, including service types, locations, outcomes, and geographic distribution.
Methods
A comprehensive literature search was conducted in Medline/PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Lilacs, ProQuest, and LA Referencia, covering studies from 1986 onward, with no language restrictions. Eligible studies addressed PLWH on antiretroviral therapy receiving pharmacist-led services in outpatient, hospital, or home-based settings. The review followed the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) methodology for scoping reviews.
Results
Of the 8,864 records identified, 146 studies met the inclusion criteria. Most were conducted in North America (51.9%) and Europe (21.8%). Study designs included observational (48.9%), interventional (42.8%), and review articles (9.6%). Research output increased over the past two decades, with publication peaks in 2009, 2014, and 2018. Outpatient clinics were the most frequent setting (n=98), followed by hospitals (n=41) and home care (n=2). Most studies occurred in urban areas (n=129). Common services included medication therapy review (68.0%), health education (61.9%), and pharmacotherapeutic follow-up (61.2%). Less frequent services included medication reconciliation, chronic disease management, dispensing, screening, and therapeutic drug monitoring. Services were primarily delivered by pharmacists alone, with some collaboration with physicians or nurses.
Conclusion
This review highlights the growing interest in pharmacist-led services for PLWH and offers a foundation for future studies by identifying established areas and research gaps.
