Implementation of pharmacist‐led chronic kidney disease screening in Australian community pharmacies: feasibility and characteristics of the screened population

Background The Chronic Kidney Disease Screening and Quality Use of Medicines trial aimed to improve chronic kidney disease (CKD) detection and optimise medication use in Australia. This analysis evaluates the feasibility of pharmacy‐based screening for identifying individuals at risk of CKD and reports participant baseline characteristics. Methods Eligible participants for the trial were aged 35–74 years and had ≥1 CKD risk factor. The intervention group received a QKidney® risk assessment, point‐of‐care test (POCT) and medication reviews, while the control group received the risk assessment only. QKidney® scores and blood pressure (BP) classified 5‐year CKD risk as low, moderate or high. Intervention participants at moderate‐to‐high risk underwent POCT of serum creatinine to estimate estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). Reduced kidney function was defined as eGFR < 60 mL/min/1.73 m 2 and prevalence was compared with Australian National Health Measures Survey 2022–2024 estimates. Data were analysed in Statistical Package for Social Sciences (version 31) using descriptive statistics. Results Of the 1486 participants recruited between March 2023 and December 2024, 1189 were included in this analysis (550 (46%) intervention, 639 (54%) control). Risk assessment was completed in 99.9% of participants using QKidney® and in 100% using BP. A POCT was performed for 84% of intervention participants at moderate to high risk. Of those fulfilling pre‐defined general practice referral criteria, 73% were referred. Overall, 68% of trial participants were at moderate to high CKD risk (59% identified by QKidney® and 30% by BP). Additionally, 21% had reduced kidney function based on POCT results – substantially higher than the national estimates (5.2%). Conclusions Pharmacy‐based targeted screening was feasible for identifying individuals at risk of developing CKD and could strengthen early detection efforts in Australia.