Recent increases in COVID-19 case numbers and the emergence of new variants, such as BA.2.86, demonstrate just how important it is to stay informed about the infection and available treatment options.
Conditional recommendations for COVID-19 treatments from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence have created a gap between guideline recommendations and current practice, resulting in variations across NHS trusts. In this recorded webinar — delivered live on 7 September 2023 — three experts unpick current guidelines to improve their interpretation and implementation to support pharmacists’ decision making relating to the appropriate and effective use of antivirals in practice.
The session covers:
- Clinical-trial and real-world data on the efficacy of available antivirals;
- Available antivirals and considerations relevant for their use in practice, including when COVID-19 antivirals are indicated and which patients are most likely to benefit from their use;
- Guidelines that underpin antiviral use and how they are being, and should be, applied in practice.
Thank you to our guest speakers Stephen Griffin, professor of cancer virology, Leeds Institute of Medical Research, School of Medicine, University of Leeds, and co-chair of the Independent Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies; and Prijay Bakrania and Rebecca Steed, specialist clinical pharmacists — infectious diseases and COVID services, Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, for their insight and presentations.
The webinar was hosted by Caitlin Killen, assistant clinical editor at The Pharmaceutical Journal.
Additional question for the experts from an attendee
Q. For treating children with COVID-19 who fit the high-risk criteria, is there work in the pipeline for getting Paxlovid licensed for the <18 years cohort (as currently in the United States, Paxlovid is licensed by the US Food and Drug Administration for children who are >12 years and >40 kg)?
A. We do not have any additional information on Pfizer’s plans regarding licensing Paxlovid in children. Ongoing clinical trials in this area (e.g. ClinicalTrials.gov identifiers: NCT05261139, NCT05438602, NCT05567952 and NCT05263908) will hopefully provide further evidence.
Useful resources
Managing cold and flu during the COVID-19 pandemic
Managing the long-term effects of COVID-19
Differential diagnosis: cold, flu or COVID-19?
Community management of pneumonia and suspected COVID-19
COVID-19 pneumonia and COVID-19 associated acute respiratory distress syndrome: diagnosis and management
Management of venous thromboembolism in COVID-19
Next-generation antivirals: targeting COVID-19
Everything you need to know about the COVID-19 therapy trials
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