Around 1.4 million more people could be eligible for antiviral treatment Paxlovid if they test positive for Covid after final draft guidance from NICE widens access.
It follows a partial review of the evidence that identified additional groups of people who are at increased risk of severe Covid-19.
Under the recommendations, Paxlovid (nirmatrelvir plus ritonavir) will also be available to people aged 70 years and over as well as those with a body mass index greater than 35 kg/m2.
Patients with diabetes and heart failure will also be eligible as well as those on the organ transplant waiting list.
The eligibility is in addition to the 3.9 million people who were already identified as being as increased risk of progression to severe illness if they were infected with Covid-19, NICE said.
Those who are eligible can get free lateral flow tests from participating pharmacies and should take a test as soon as they have symptoms, even if mild, NICE reiterated before calling their GP, NHS111 or hospital specialist if they test positive.
Helen Knight, director of medicines evaluation said: ‘Our review of the evidence on the use of Paxlovid has found it offers value for money for a wider group of patients.
‘This is good news for people who may contract Covid-19 in the coming months and will help alleviate pressure on the health service.
She added: ‘Although we are no longer in a pandemic, Covid-19 is still circulating and we are pleased that more people at risk of severe disease can benefit from Paxlovid.’
ICBs took on responsibility for delivery of treatments from the Covid-19 Medicines Delivery Units (CMDUs) in July last year.
At the time the BMA advised GPs not to agree to prescribing duties for Covid treatments unless as ‘part of an appropriate commissioned service’.
UK public health officials have reported rising levels of winter bugs in the past week with rates of flu, Covid-19 and norovirus continuing to rise.
The latest figures also show a rise in Covid-19 hospitalisations in the last week of 2023 as well as patients admitted to ICU with complications of the virus.
NICE are nuts.
NICE does not go as far as the WHO (according to the last paper version of the BMJ ) . It would be good to see a NNT and NNh for an overweight 70yr old fully vaccinated person offered paxlovid as not that easy to find as most initial studies done on unvaccinated Also NICE may say this but NHS has not agreed re either testing (policy seems to be don’t test and carry on)
Helen Knight is dishonest and misleading. We ARE still in the middle of a Pandemic, and if people test positive, they need to contact 111 or their Specialist, who have access to Paxlovid, not their GP, who, generally, has neither access to it, nor experience to prescribe it. Before GPs can safely and effectively prescribe, we need access to both the drug itself, and also the reliable and truthful information on risk/benefit ratios and prescribing details.
Meanwhile, most of the NHS also wearing blinkers and eye coverings, but forgetting respiratory protection – ‘Just so long as we can’t see or hear it, we will be fine’ attitude is just Negligent and immoral.
In the UK anyone over 50, or anyone under 50 with a risk factor like asthma, diabetes, BMI over 35, epilepsy, severe mental illness or immunosuppression can currently (potentially) get Paxlovid on the Panoramic Trial.