Prescribing workflow

The RACGP has published a prescribing workflow resource (updated on 2 December 2022 to acknowledge the National Clinical Evidence Taskforce’s latest recommendation on the use of Lagevrio) that aims to support GPs and practices to carry out patient suitability assessments for COVID-19 oral treatments in advance of a patient testing positive to COVID-19, to expedite access to these treatments in the event the patient contracts COVID-19. This resource includes information on oral treatments for COVID-19 including:

• pre-determining eligibility, suitability and consent
• MBS item numbers to support eligibility and suitability assessments and prescribing
• eligibility criteria
• prescribing workflow.

This document is written for prescribing of oral treatments for COVID-19 via the PBS, noting that access to these treatments may be available via other state and territory-based channels.

The National Clinical Evidence Taskforce has published a one-page summary flowchart on prescribing considerations for Paxlovid. The Taskforce has stated in their recommendation rationale that there may be specific circumstances for the highest risk patients, where all other treatment options (including Paxlovid) are contraindicated or inappropriate, in which non-routine use of Lagevrio might be considered.