Most cases of COVID-19 are mild and can be managed at home. Some people who are at higher risk may need specific antiviral treatments prescribed by their healthcare provider. See information below about antiviral treatments.
There is a range of information and resources available to support healthcare providers and healthcare professionals.
Click on the toggles below to find out more about what is on offer to support you.
The Victorian Department of Health has launched a pharmacy helpline to support PBS prescribers in the prescription of oral antivirals nirmatrelvir and ritonavir (Paxlovid™) and molnupiravir (Lagevrio™) to COVID-19 patients within the community.
The helpline, staffed by Alfred Health pharmacists experienced in prescribing COVID-19 early therapies, is intended for use by Victorian PBS prescribers such as GPs and nurse practitioners.
The helpline is staffed seven days a week between 8am-5pm and can be contacted on 03 8290 3801.
Gippsland HealthPathways can help you. Click here to access the pathways.
Request access here if you don’t have it already.
To support prescribing, the Victorian Department of Health continues to provide PBS prescribers access to the Victorian COVID-19 therapies PBS prescriber helpline and clinical decision-making guidance (which includes a Paxlovid prescribing flowchart).
More information on these here: https://www.health.vic.gov.au/covid-19/vaccines-and-medications-in-patients-with-covid-19
The National COVID-19 Clinical Evidence Taskforce has collaborated with the department to produce and publish a PaxlovidTM prescribing guide. Modelled on the department’s guide, this document acts as a key reference for clinicians when considering the PaxlovidTM for early treatment of COVID-19 in eligible patients. PaxlovidTM is the preferred treatment for eligible patients, where it is determined to be suitable, as it has higher efficacy that LagevrioTM in reducing hospitalisations and deaths in high risk patients.
The PaxlovidTM prescribing guide is available at https://covid19evidence.net.au/wp-content/uploads/PAXLOVID-PRESCRIBING-GUIDE.pdf and will be linked from the department’s medicines website. For further prescribing resources see: https://www.health.vic.gov.au/covid-19/vaccines-and-medications-in-patients-with-covid-19
The National COVID-19 Evidence Taskforce supports Australia’s healthcare professionals with continually updated, evidence-based clinical guidelines.
Information includes a flow chart for drug treatments for adults with COVID-19.
Find out more at https://covid19evidence.net.au/
Revised factsheet
Please find attached the revised fact sheet on EvusheldTM for clinicians. This updated document is a live document and will be available on the Department of Health website.
This EvusheldTM fact sheet for clinicians document is updated and includes:
EvusheldTM Community Prescribing – simplified process for access to nursing care
In response to clinician feedback, the Department of Health has simplified the process required to enable nurses in Supercare Pharmacies to administer EvusheldTM.
There is no longer a need to complete the Supercare Nursing Request form. Instead, Supercare nursing services can be requested by completing an additional section on the Request to Access form. This will reduce the administrative burden for the prescriber and reduce the paperwork a patient is required to bring to the dispensing pharmacy.
Prescribers are reminded that EvusheldTM does not need to be administered by a Supercare Pharmacy nurse. Patients can return to their doctor’s clinic for administration if that is suitable and preferable. Hospital pharmacies do not have an onsite nursing service available.
The EvusheldTM Community Prescriber Guide (attached) and supporting website content have both been updated and will be available at https://www.health.vic.gov.au/covid-19/evusheldtm-prescribing-resources-for-gps-and-specialists
As the COVID-19 pandemic evolves, the role of GPs is becoming even more important for managing at-risk patients
in the community.
An estimated 35,000 DVA patients are considered at risk of progressing to severe illness and needing hospitalisation if they
develop COVID-19 infection. See the fact sheets below.
The Pharmacy Guild of Australia has included both Paxlovid® and Lagevrio® on the Find a Pharmacy website, which allows patients to search for pharmacies near them that are holding stock of the medicine they require, increasing visibility and accessibility of stock.
This function can be found on the Find a Pharmacy webpage at: www.findapharmacy.com.au
Further information can be found at: Factsheet-prescribers-and-pharmacists-COVID-19-treatments-July-2022.pdf (pbs.gov.au)
Community pharmacies stocking COVID-19 medicines
Many pharmacies across Victoria are stocking oral antivirals such as PaxlovidTM and LagevrioTM. To support easier identification of pharmacies holding oral antiviral stocks, resources have been collated and is available at https://www.health.vic.gov.au/covid-19/vaccines-and-medications-in-patients-with-covid-19. This includes pharmacy locations in both metropolitan and regional Victoria.
This information will be replicated on the consumer website at https://www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/covid-19-medicines
Gippsland PHN has developed a map of pharmacies that stock COVID-19 antivirals. This information lists Community Pharmacies located within Gippsland that stock Lagevrio and Paxlovid.
If you are a pharmacy that is not included in this map, please email emergencyresponse@gphn.org.au with your information.
This information is indicative only.
Main office
11 Seymour Street, Traralgon, Gunaikurnai Country
13 McBride Avenue, Wonthaggi, Bunurong Country
119 Main Street, Bairnsdale, Gunaikurnai Country
Gippsland PHN is committed to providing inclusive services and work environments where people of all backgrounds, sexualities, genders, cultures, spiritual beliefs, age, bodies and abilities are valued, supported and celebrated.
Gippsland PHN acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the traditional owners of country throughout Gippsland, and their continuing connection to land, sea and community. We pay our respects to them and their cultures, and to elders both past and present.
We also recognise, respect and affirm the central role played in our work by people with lived experience, their families and/or carers.
Gippsland PHN acknowledges Alfie Hudson for the healing circles artwork. Alfie is a Gunai Kurnai man and created this artwork which represents health professionals being committed to work in partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community members for the best health outcomes.
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