Specialist ‘Covid medicines delivery units’ in hospitals were closed at the end of June, leaving vulnerable patients struggling to obtain essential Covid drugs. While the majority of the population is well protected against serious illness through vaccines and boosters, individuals with conditions like leukaemia, kidney disease, or those who have had an organ transplant may not develop sufficient antibodies from the Covid jab to combat the disease. This affects approximately 500,000 individuals in the UK.
Since 2021, these patients have been able to access various anti-Covid drugs that help prevent severe illness and the need for emergency treatment. However, with the closure of hospital clinics, known as Covid medicines delivery units, at the end of June, confusion has arisen regarding where patients can now obtain these drugs, including Paxlovid, sotrovimab, and molnupiravir. The NHS initially intended for patients to access these drugs at their GP surgeries or local pharmacies.
Unfortunately, The Mail on Sunday has discovered that this transition has led to patients missing out on essential medication due to uncertainty concerning the providers of these anti-Covid drugs. Previously, vulnerable patients showing Covid symptoms were automatically offered tests, and if the results were positive, they were referred to hospitals to receive antiviral treatment. However, the charity Kidney Care UK reports that patients are struggling to access antivirals because they are unsure who to contact.
Fiona Loud, the policy director at Kidney Care UK, explains that patients are uncertain whether they should contact 111, their GP, or the hospital, as the guidance varies depending on location. This confusion has resulted in patients being bounced around the healthcare system, and even some NHS staff are unaware of the proper protocol. There are concerns that as infection rates increase, fewer eligible individuals will be able to access these crucial treatments.
These issues arise just as the Government announced an earlier start to the autumn Covid booster program due to concerns over the highly mutated variant BA.2.86, also known as Pirola. Patient advocacy groups warn that as Covid cases rise, the confusion surrounding the availability of antiviral drugs for vulnerable patients could lead to fatalities.
Mark Oakley of the patient group Forgotten Lives UK condemns the situation as unacceptable. He highlights that individuals are spending days searching for these medicines because there is no clear guidance on where to obtain them, putting lives at risk. Experts are calling on the NHS to ensure that staff are educated on how to refer patients for Covid antivirals.
Professor Azeem Majeed, head of the department of primary care and public health at Imperial College London, stresses that since the closure of the delivery units, there has been significant confusion regarding the accessibility of these medicines. He urges the NHS to provide clear instructions to both patients and staff on how to obtain these drugs. A government official stated that the responsibility for access to Covid antivirals no longer lies with NHS England and that local authorities are responsible for organizing the distribution.
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