Antiviral drugs - Problems getting them

[Zingy123]

I tested positive yesterday. 119 said someone would contact me within 24 hours to arrange for me to have antivirals as I am immunosuppressed. They said if nobody called to contact 111 or GP.

No call back surprise surprise. Called 111 not interested at all as only a triage service I was told. Called GP also not interested reluctantly gave me a telephone appointment at 5pm. Told me to call 119 which I did they say to contact GP. I thought these drugs were supposed to be taken straight away?

Anyone have any experience of how to get hold of them?

I tested positive three weeks ago, on a Saturday. I'd been sent a priority PCR and been told I was eligible (letter from NHS).

Nobody called within 24 hours so I called 111, who said I'd hear within the next 24 hours. That passed, still nothing, so I called again to be told the same. Eventually on Monday afternoon my consultant called me and told me she wasn't going to ok the antivirals as the rules had changed a couple of weeks before and I wasn't eligible.

Today is the first day I've tested negative in three weeks and I've been really unwell, and still nowhere near well.

I hope you get yours OP and that you feel better soon

My nana tested positive on Wednesday and I was else to an email saying she is entitled to the anti-viral so my dm phoned the gp (receptionist) who said she only have it if she has symptoms, she's now got symptoms so my dm rang them back and another receptionist is claiming they don't know what anti viral she's talking about and to phone 119

It's a complete farce. Same with trying to get the vaccinations. I've now called my CCG who don't seem to know what an antiviral is .:

My DH received a text saying he might be eligible for anti virals when he tested positive 3 weeks ago. I phoned GP to ask what happens next. Receptionist rang back to give appointment at medical assessment clinic at hospital, which he went to and they checked him over, but said he wasn’t eligible for anti virals. He has a heart condition but they said it was only being given to transplant patients. They did ring him a couple of days later to check on him though.

It's Sotrovimab nMAB as an IV infusion.

It is ideally given within 5 days of a positive test, there are certain criteria and not all those who are CEV, need them. Patients are clinically screened and then passed onto the areas delivering the nMABs.

Not all areas are providing this service.

I hope you get what you need and feel better very soon.

My dad’s GP told him to get a PCR and in the meantime they contacted the local ‘covid team’ who then phoned my dad directly to confirm PCR results and gave him a next day outpatient appointment at the nearest covid centre (in a hospital) for IV infusion. It was unbelievably straightforward and quick. So I would push back to GP and be persistent as you need to until someone categorically and accountably tells you you aren’t getting treatment or else gets you an appointment.

probably not much help but I think things changed yesterday.
I got an email yesterday telling me I would still be eligable for anti virals and free lateral flow tests.
The PCR I have at home is no longer for use if I have symptoms I just use a LFT unless a hospital tells me to use the PCR.

Oh I’m sorry you’re having this problem @Zingy123. I must have been lucky - triage called me same day I tested positive on a lateral flow, consultant within 12 hours & I had the drugs the next day (I had tablets as my children had covid too so I couldn’t go to hosp)

What’s the latest with you, has anyone contacted you? I must have been lucky. I’m in hampshire under Portsmouth hospital if it makes any difference. I was so poorly, I dread to think how I would have been without the meds

@Dizzywizz That's exactly as it's running here. Most are seen within 48 hours.
We're in Dorset.

My brother was assessed over the phone but told his symptoms were not severe enough for the drugs.

I think you will have to call 111 back and insist. Ask to speak to a supervisor, that kind of thing.

Thanks everyone. Still no further forward. GP hasn't called me back. I've found out who it is I need to see but they won't see me without a GP referral. Bangs head against wall.

Seems so strange @Zingy123 - I know they don’t give the drugs if don’t think symptoms bad enough as pp said - I wasn’t too bad when I called and had to push a bit to get them, and was so glad I had as the next few days I was terrible. Don’t know what to suggest - could you tweet your mp perhaps?

GP has finally called. He's done the form but doesn't think they are looked at over the weekend. I don't feel too bad but why do they offer these things and then not put anything in place for people to access them?

Did they update over the weekend? Hope you are doing well.

DH had exactly the same, eligible for antivirals but the right hand didn’t know what the left was doing when he rang the GP. Told the hospital team would call, they didn’t. Was eventually told he was in a long queue to be triaged and some one would be calling as soon as they could. We’re still waiting nearly four weeks later.....

Luckily he wasn’t too bad with Covid in the end, but they don’t know that.

The whole thing is a complete farce.

Same issue here. Can't get antivirals even though I'm eligible.

When nobody called me, I contacted 111 who said they would refer me. I'm still waiting.

The system is too complicated for its own good and the various parts are not joined up.

Sorry for not updating sooner. I eventually had a call late Saturday evening. The doctor said it was too late to start the antivirals then. I had made over 15 calls to get to that stage. I told the doctor how disgusted I was. He said it happens frequently. Nobody seems to know what they are doing.

That’s rubbish @Zingy123, sorry that happened to you

It really is rubbish OP.

Same story here, I'm still waiting for the call. I have phoned to hurry it up, but the system is just overloaded and no one gets back to me, even though they say they will.

It's probably too late for me to begin to take them now.