For older people and frail people, the long-term benefit of medicines reduces and the potential for harm from adverse effects increases. When the benefit–risk balance changes in this way, medicine review and optimisation are important to simplify the therapeutic regimen, reduce inappropriate medicines and minimise risks. In this article, pharmacist prescriber Linda Bryant uses two case studies to illustrate important considerations during medicine reviews
Navigating COVID-19 antiviral access criteria
Wednesday 20 July 2022, 12:20 AM

ECG supplied
Consultant cardiologist Chris Ellis looks at the COVID-19 antiviral treatments available for use in New Zealand, including the current access criteria set by Pharmac
Late news, As we went to press, Pharmac announced that, effective from 18 July, the COVID-19 antiviral access criteria widened to include all people aged 75 and , Educ Blue w pale blue
Kia ora and welcome to New Zealand Doctor Rata Aotearoa
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References
1. Jayk Bernal A, Gomes da Silva MM, Musungaie DB, et al. Molnupiravir for oral treatment of Covid-19 in nonhospitalized patients. N Engl J Med 2022;386(6):509–20.
2. Hammond J, Leister-Tebbe H, Gardner A, et al. Oral nirmatrelvir for high-risk, nonhospitalized adults with Covid-19. N Engl J Med 2022;386(15):1397–408.