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Originator: CMO Messaging

From: CMO Messaging

Issue date: Originally issued on 16-Dec-2021 09:20:13. This version was issued on 16-Dec-2021 09:20:13

This alert has been issued to:
  • MHRA (Medicines) Drug Alerts (Various Recipients)
  • Other contacts
  • Independent Healthcare Providers (registered with CAS)
  • Clinical Commissioning Groups
  • NHS Regional Offices
  • NHS Foundation Trusts (England) - Medical Director
  • NHS Foundation Trusts (England) - Chief Executive
  • NHS Trusts (England) - Medical Director
  • CMO Urgent Messages - Non-NHS Recipients on Public Health Link
  • MHRA (Medicines) Drug Alerts - Non-NHS Recipients
  • Territorial CMOs in Northern Ireland, Scotland & Wales
  • Regional Directors of Public Health
  • Consultants in Communicable Diseases
  • CMO Urgent Messages - Recipients on Public Health Link
  • Director of Public Health
  • NHS Trusts (England) - Chief Executive
  • GP - Locum
  • NHS 111 and Out of hours providers
  • GP Practices
  • Community Pharmacy
  • Primary Care Networks
  • GP Practices 1

Action category: Action

Title: Neutralising monoclonal antibodies (nMABs) or antivirals for non-hospitalised patients with COVID-19

Broadcast content:


***24 December 2021: Policy updated to remind clinicians that treatments should only be offered where the patient is not already showing signs of clinical improvement and to provide further clarity on haematological disease (appendix 1) and the chemotherapy agents (appendix 2) relevant to determining patient eligibility.***

From the week commencing 20th December, the monoclonal antibody (nMAB) sotrovimab (Xevudy) will be available for use as a first line treatment for non-hospitalised patients who are PCR positive and aged 12 and above who are considered at highest risk of progression to severe disease, hospital admission or death
.  This alternative nMAB option is important, particularly in areas where Omicron has become the prevalent variant, because it is understood that the efficacy of the combination monoclonal antibody casirivimab and imdevimab (Ronapreve), included in the original policy, is likely to be materially compromised against the increasingly prevalent Omicron variant.  Eligible patients may receive antiviral therapy if an nMAB is contraindicated.  


Additional information: NHS England and NHS Improvement Regional Offices: please cascade this alert to community pharmacy

Alert reference: CEM/CMO/2021/021

Attachments:

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