COVID-19 Treatments for Higher Risk Individuals - UPDATED 25/01/2022

[Paul_Howard]

Hi everyone,

I have updated our website article about the new COVID-19 treatments for those who are at higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19 infection.

lupusuk.org.uk/covid-19-tre...

The updated article includes more detail about the eligibility criteria as well as updates on how to access these treatments in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

We are aware that some people haven't received a letter informing them they are eligible. This does not necessarily mean you will not be able to access the treatments if you have a positive PCR test. However, you may wish to raise the issue with your Healthcare Professionals.

[Frances_UK]

Thank you. I still find the following criterion confusing:

Individuals with active/unstable disease, including those receiving a single biological therapy and those receiving a combination of biologicals with thiopurine or methotrexate

Does this mean either of the following?:

- unstable disease + biologic; or

- biologic + thiopurine/methotrexate, whether stable/active or not?

Or:

Is it unstable disease + biologic, either with or without thiopurine / methotrexate?

I have a feeling it's the latter, but that would have been covered by saying unstable disease + biologic, so I find the inclusion of thiopurine/methotrexate confusing.

If it is the former, that a combination of biologic + MTX confers eligibility, then is it dose dependent? I am on biologic + MTX (<20mg) and have not received a kit.

Thank you.

[Paul_Howard Partner LUPUS UK in reply to Frances_UK]

Hi Frances_UK ,

Thanks for your question. To be honest, I definitely think they could have been clearer with the eligibility criteria in the Clinical Commissioning document. There is a lot of overlap between the categories.

As far as I can tell, this criteria covers the following:

- People with active/unstable disease and/or

- People on a single biologic therapy and/or

- People on a combination of a biologic therapy and thiopurine/methotrexate

Therefore, if you meet any of these criteria individually, you should be eligible for the treatments. In speaking with a couple of expert rheumatology consultants, they were of the view that the eligibility criteria should be lenient to allow as many people with lupus as possible to qualify.

It should be noted however that, even if you got a letter, it doesn't guarantee you will receive the treatments if you have a positive PCR. You will need to be assessed by a clinician at a COVID Medicines Delivery Unit (CMDU) who will decide whether they would be suitable.

[Paul_Howard Partner LUPUS UK in reply to Paul_Howard]

I would also add that none of the eligibility criteria appear to be dose dependent - including corticosteroids.

Again, it will be for the CMDU to assess the suitability of treatment. These criteria are more for screening people I think.

[Frances_UK in reply to Paul_Howard]

Thank you Paul. Useful clarification on last point too.

[Bull5160]

Seeing as these are still in trial period. I'm worried to take one. Currently have covid and should be receiving a phone call. Any thoughts?

[Paul_Howard Partner LUPUS UK in reply to Bull5160]

Hi Bull5160 . You may want to make a new post asking if anyone else has taken the treatments. We had a few comments on our recent Facebook post from people with lupus who have taken them and had good experiences - facebook.com/LUPUSUK/posts/...

If it helps, you can read more about the treatments using the links below. They give more detail of reported adverse effects from trials so far.

Sotrovimab - gov.uk/government/publicati...

Molnupiravir - gov.uk/government/publicati...

If you're unsure, do you have a rheumatology helpline at your hospital to try and speak with your consultant about it?

[Bull5160 in reply to Paul_Howard]

Thank you for your response. I ended up having the tablet form and so far so good no issues. Xxx