NICE expands access to Paxlovid for 1.4 million people at risk of severe COVID-19
Betsy Goodfellow | January 12, 2024 | News story | Medical Communications | COVID-19, Infections and infestations, NICE
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has announced that it has expanded the guidance around which patients are eligible to access Paxlovid, this review increases the figure from 3.9 million people to 5.3 million people.
The drug was already available to “people who did not need supplemental oxygen for COVID-19 and who have an increased progression to severe COVID-19,” according to NICE’s news release.
Because of this review, the following groups will now have access to Paxlovid should they test positive for COVID-19:
- people aged 85 or over,
- people with end-stage heart failure who have a long-term ventricular assistance device,
- people on the organ transplant waiting list,
- people aged 70 years or over, or who have a BMI of 35kg/m2 or more, diabetes or heart failure, and are a resident in a care home or are hospitalised.
Helen Knight, director of medicines evaluation at NICE, commented: “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. NICE is focused on getting the best care to patients while ensuring the NHS can continue to deliver maximum value to the taxpayer. 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.”
Betsy Goodfellow
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