MEASURES need to be implemented to ensure that supplies of COVID-19 oral treatments are made available to those in need when they need them, Pharmacy Guild of Australia National President, Trent Twomey, believes.
Commenting on the arrival of the initial supplies of Lagevrio and Paxlovid - which received approval from the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) last month (PD 20 Jan) - Twomey said the initial rollout of supplies to ensure high-risk patients have access to them would be critical.
The two treatments have been given the green-light to treat patients with mild to moderate COVID to prevent deterioration to more severe cases requiring hospitalisation.
"Community pharmacies look forward to receiving the delivery of new COVID-19 oral treatments to help reduce the severity of COVID," he said.
"Providing at-risk Australians with a treatment option that can be managed in the community will reduce pressures on our hospital system and allow community pharmacies to continue to play an important role on the COVID-19 frontline.
"Each and every community pharmacist will be better armed to help the fight against COVID once supply becomes available.
"We look forward to working with government on getting more detail around when the COVID oral treatments will be listed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme and can start rolling out to communities around the country.
"Vaccination remains the most effective way to protect yourself and your family, and you can receive your vaccine in a community pharmacy, near where you live."
The treatments should be commenced within five days of a patient developing symptoms or recording a positive COVID-19 test result.
The above article was sent to subscribers in Pharmacy Daily's issue from 08 Feb 22
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