Concerns over vulnerable patients missing COVID-19 oral antivirals

Press/Media: Expert Comment

Description

Patients in some areas are reportedly struggling to access treatments on the PBS in a timely way, even with a prescription.

Subject

COVID 19

Antiviral treatments

Primary Care

Period1 Jul 2022

Media contributions

1

Media contributions

  • TitleConcerns over vulnerable patients missing COVID-19 oral antivirals
    Degree of recognitionNational
    Media name/outletNews GP
    Media typeWeb
    Country/TerritoryAustralia
    Date1/07/22
    DescriptionPatients in some areas are reportedly struggling to access treatments on the PBS in a timely way, even with a prescription...
    Meanwhile, Professor Mark Morgan, Chair of RACGP Expert Committee – Quality Care (REC–QC), has stated that he believes more flexibility is needed.

    ‘I believe there should be scope for clinical judgment,’ he said. ‘If a patient has a particularly severe co-morbidity there should be an opportunity to prescribe antiviral treatments.’

    Professor Morgan also pointed to different arrangements in place in different jurisdictions, which he says ‘make the whole thing very complicated’.

    He is advocating for more input from data experts to help target the vulnerable patients most likely to benefit from the antivirals.
    Producer/AuthorJolyon Attwooll
    URLhttps://www1.racgp.org.au/newsgp/professional/concerns-over-vulnerable-patients-missing-covid-19?utm_source=racgpnewsgpnewsletter&utm_campaign=newsgpedm&utm_medium=email
    PersonsMark Morgan