Guidance on safe use of GSK’s COVID-19 treatment launched for hospital pharmacists

Pharma News: Hospital pharmacists will have streamlined access to information on the safe administration of a novel monoclonal antibody treatment for COVID-19 through the leading publication, the Australian Injectable Drugs Handbook (AIDH).

The Society of Hospital Pharmacists of Australia (SHPA) released the new AIDH monograph for GSK’s Xevudy (sotrovimab), a monoclonal antibody and the first treatment for mild-moderate COVID-19, comes two weeks after the treatment was granted provisional approval by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) for use in Australia to mitigate severe harm from symptoms of COVID-19 infection requiring hospitalisation.

SHPA President Peter Fowler said “Informed by member expertise, the new AIDH monograph for sotrovimab features comprehensive information on its preparation and administration – as well as safe handling and patient monitoring advice – crucial for the safe and effective use of this novel treatment.

“This provisional approval is important to give our hospital pharmacists, nurses and their medical colleagues a new way to keep people with COVID-19 infection well enough to avoid hospitalisation.

“Access to information on sotrovimab in a clear and familiar format, among our 15 updates to AIDH released today, saves our frontline healthcare workers valuable time preparing and circulating specific administration guidelines for their hospital.

“This is particularly important as the combination of rising COVID-19 cases and a period of anticipated vaccine roll-out thresholds reaches a critical crossover point in the coming two months, particularly in Sydney.”

Chief Executive Kristin Michaels says SHPA remains dedicated to upholding safe medicines practice in this uncertain time.

“As we move through phases of the plan to transition Australia’s COVID-19 response, we will continue to see community transmission, new outbreaks of case clusters and COVID-19 related hospitalisations in the coming months.

“By including new guidance specific to COVID-19 care as quickly as possible, SHPA is ensuring our indispensable AIDH resource continues to provide the most relevant information for health professionals, ensuring the safe and quality use of medicines in all care settings across Australia.”