COVID Therapies

This policy outlines the available therapies for symptomatic non-hospitalised patients with COVID- 19 within NHS Lothian. This policy is based on the current UK treatment guidelines and will be updated if this is superseded or if the evidence base for these therapies changes significantly.

Clinical guidance is available within the associated guideline of the same name, and the associated procedure describes in detail the roles and responsibilities of teams involved in this pathway. A separate document is available detailing the available treatments for hospitalised patients.

In Lothian, as per national guidance, Paxlovid (nirmatrelvir with ritonavir) will be offered to eligible patients as first-line therapy. Molnupiravir will be offered to eligible patients who cannot receive Paxlovid. Remdesivir and sotrovimab are not currently routinely available in Lothian.

This local pathway has been developed by clinical experts in infectious diseases. Primary Care Clinicians supporting patients through this non-hospitalised pathway have direct access to senior clinical decision makers if it is necessary to consider the prescribing of either remdesivir or sotrovimab in exceptional cases.