COVID-19 oral antiviral medicine information
As the COVID-19 pandemic evolves, the role of GPs is becoming even more important for managing at-risk patients in the veteran community.
An estimated 35,000 DVA patients are considered higher risk for becoming seriously unwell and needing hospitalisation if they develop COVID-19 infection.
While vaccination continues to be the most important and beneficial intervention to prevent severe illness, two oral antiviral medicines may help prevent hospitalisation in such patients.
Nirmatrelvir and ritonavir (Paxlovid®) and molnupiravir (Lagevrio®) have been listed on the PBS for use in non-pregnant patients 18 years and older who have at least one symptom and have tested positive by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) or rapid antigen test (RAT) for COVID-19 and meet the eligibility criteria.
For more information on eligibility criteria, please visit the following:
- Caring for people with COVID-19
- Oral treatments for COVID-19
- https://www.nps.org.au/coronavirus/antiviral-treatments-for-covid-19
For more information, visit the Veterans’ MATES website where you will find a factsheet for health professionals and in particular, there is access to an online medicine interaction checker for prescribing Paxlovid® as well as useful planning tools to use with your patients BEFORE they become COVID positive.
On this website, you will also find additional helpful topics relating to the veteran community, as well as other news articles you may be interested in.