The Therapeutic Technical Advisory Group (TAG) was convened by the MOH in August 2021 to provide expert advice on existing and emerging medicines for use in the management of COVID-19.
Pharmac has listed Paxlovid and Lagevrio on the pharmaceutical schedule and it has published the access criteria, which will apply to both medicines, on its website.
Prescriptions must be endorsed by the prescriber:
Access criteria for antivirals can be found on the Pharmac website.
The prescription should be endorsed before it is sent to the pharmacy that dispenses Paxlovid. Note: only a small number of pharmacies stock Paxlovid and these are listed in HealthPathways. The pharmacy will deliver the medication to the patient.
Information and guidance has been developed by the MOH for health practitioners to aide in the prescription of Paxlovid.
He Ako Hiringa has useful drug interaction checking references on their website.
Molnupiravir (Lagevrio) is available to those at a higher risk of becoming seriously unwell with COVID-19 including elderly, immunocompromised people and those with complex health needs.
As per an update to the reference book 'Don’t Rush To Crush' published by the Society of Hospital Pharmacists of Australia, Molnupiravir capsules (Lagevrio brand) can be opened and either mixed with water, or added to a soft food such as yoghurt or apple puree.
This information will be added to the sector guidance.
The position statement (linked below) on inhaled budesonide was updated on 1 April 2022. Changes from the previous position statement are in red text.
The amendment narrows the recommended eligible population for inhaled budesonide to target those who are at highest risk of progression to requiring in-hospital treatment for COVID-19 disease. The document now also includes guidance for navigating challenges with turbuhaler use in certain communities.
Evusheld, a COVID-19 complications preventer medication, is now available to selected patients. General practices may be approached by specialist teams who want them to administer the medication, or be aware of patients who are eligible but 'under the radar' of the local specialist team for some reason (such as they recently moved into the area, or have long since been discharged). For details of eligibility see the Evusheld access criteria and for the funding to support administration of Evusheld see the PDF files attached below.
For more information about Evusheld see the Manatū Hauora - Ministry of Health COVID-19 advice for all health professionals page.
During the COVID-19 lockdown virtual consultations for POAC cases were funded. We are pleased to announce that this will be a permanent change.
Read moreTe Whatu Ora Waikato has noted the wording in their recent newsletter about the new BPAC disease notification eReferral, requires clarification. At this time COVID-19 remains a notifiable disease, but that notification does not need to come via GP practices using the BPAC form as it is generated via result uploading.
Read moreThis funding is available for a GP/NP consultation with patients eligible for an advance prescription for COVID-19 anti-viral medication, prior to them testing positive for COVID-19. There is no obligation for a clinician to issue an advance prescription.
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