More Australians will be eligible for COVID-19 antiviral drugs from Monday to try to reduce the number of people in hospital.
Key points:
- Known as Lagevrio and Paxlovid, the drugs cost $ 6.80 for one concession card holder and about $ 40 for the others.
- The Minister of Health says that anyone interested in treatment should talk to their GP
- Treatment should begin as soon as possible after symptoms appear
Some 4,000 people are receiving medical care for the virus across the country, with health authorities worried that cases will continue to rise in the coming weeks.
Under current rules, medicines are restricted to Australians aged 65 and over with particular risk factors such as obesity, diabetes, chronic respiratory conditions, not being fully vaccinated or living in a remote area with limited access to healthcare .
Aboriginal or islanders in the Torres Strait aged 50 and over who have two risk factors, and younger people who are severely immunocompromised, also have access to medication.
Health Minister Mark Butler says Australians looking for antivirals “need to act quickly”. (AAP)
However, the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee (PBAC), which recommends which drugs should be included in the Pharmaceutical Benefits Plan, has suggested changes to the eligibility criteria due to additional evidence on efficacy and drug safety as well as changing epidemiology. of COVID-19.
It comes just days after Australia’s vaccine advisory body changed the rules on booster doses so that anyone over the age of 30 can receive a fourth dose of the COVID-19 vaccine from Monday.
Who can access antivirals from Monday?
Any Australian who tests positive for COVID-19 and is over 70 will be able to access PBS antivirals from Monday.
Known as Lagevrio and Paxlovid, the drugs cost about $ 1,000, but because they are in the Pharmaceutical Benefits Plan (PBS) they are reduced to $ 6.80 for one grant card holder and about $ 40 for the others.
GPs can write a script.
People over the age of 50 with at least two risk factors that could cause serious illness will also be eligible, as well as Aboriginal or islanders in the Torres Strait aged 30 and over with at least two risk factors.
A wider range of chronic respiratory diseases has been added to the list of risk factors.
They include moderate or severe asthma, coronary artery disease, cardiomyopathy, demyelinating conditions, and kidney failure.
Risk factors that are already on the list and will be maintained include neurological conditions such as stroke and dementia, cirrhosis, kidney failure, obesity, type one or two diabetes, and anyone living in remote areas and do not have access to higher level health care. .
Currently people 18 years of age or older who are severely immunocompromised or with severe physical or intellectual disabilities that require residential care, as well as people with cerebral palsy or Down syndrome can apply for antivirals and this remains the same with the changes. .
Health Minister Mark Butler said he hoped expanding eligibility would help ease pressure on hospital systems.
“COVID cases and the number of hospitalizations are increasing, especially with the new variants,” he said.
“These oral antivirals drastically reduce the risk of serious illness, especially for older Australians, and will help keep people out of the hospital.”
Paxlovid will be one of the antivirals available to more Australians under the scheme. (AAP)
Who can’t take antivirals?
Australians who are pregnant or breastfeeding should not take antivirals and those with severe kidney or liver disease should avoid Paxlovid.
Medical advice recommends that anyone with birth control use additional contraceptives if they are taking antivirals.
Men using Lagevrio are advised to use contraceptives while taking the antiviral and for three months afterwards.
For those who can access the drug, treatment should begin as soon as possible after a person notices symptoms of COVID-19.
Health Minister Mark Butler said it was important for people to keep in touch with their GP.
“People can get antivirals after talking to a doctor, but they have to act fast,” he said.
“Talk to your GP and make a plan of what you will do if you have COVID, so you can start taking antivirals as soon as possible after the positive result.”
The federal government has bought more than 1.3 million courses of antiviral drugs and more than 73,000 Australians have already used the drug.
Posted 5 hours ago 5 hours ago dig. July 10, 2022 at 12:29 am, updated 52 minutes ago 52 minutes ago dig. July 10, 2022 at 4:59 p.m.