What Clinicians Need to Know About the New Oral Antiviral Medications for COVID-19

At a glance

Subject matter experts will review when to prescribe antiviral medications including patient assessment, how to have a risk-benefit discussion to address patient questions or concerns, and how to prioritize patients if medications are in short supply.

Overview

The emergency use authorizations (EUAs) for the new oral antiviral medications molnupiravir and Paxlovid™ (nirmatrelvir/ritonavir) supplement current therapeutic efforts to decrease hospitalizations and prevent severe COVID-19 and death. During this COCA Call, presenters from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response, U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) will describe the recent EUAs and NIH treatment guidelines, patient prioritization, and resources for healthcare providers. Subject matter experts will review when to prescribe antiviral medications including patient assessment, how to have a risk-benefit discussion to address patient questions or concerns, and how to prioritize patients if medications are in short supply.

Presenters

Lauri Hicks, DO
Captain, US Public Health Service
Chief Medical Officer, COVID-19 Response
Director, Office of Antibiotic Stewardship
Division of Healthcare Quality Promotion
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Colin Shepard, MD
CDC Liaison to the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR)
Center for Preparedness and Response
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Stephanie Troy, MD
Senior Medical Officer
Division of Antivirals
Center for Drug Evaluation and Research
U.S. Food and Drug Administration

Aimee Hodowanec, MD
Senior Medical Officer
Division of Antivirals
Center for Drug Evaluation and Research
U.S. Food and Drug Administration

Alice K. Pau, PharmD
Executive Secretary, NIH COVID-19 Treatment Guidelines Panel
Staff Scientist (Clinical)
Clinical Pharmacy Specialist
Division of Clinical Research
National Institute of Allergy & Infectious Diseases
National Institutes of Health

Call Objectives

  1. Cite background information on the topic covered during the presentation.
  2. Discuss CDC's role in the topic covered during the presentation.
  3. Describe the topic's implications for clinicians.
  4. Discuss concerns and/or issues related to preparedness for and/or response to urgent public health threats.
  5. Promote health improvement, wellness, and disease prevention in cooperation with patients, communities, at-risk populations, and other members of an interprofessional team of health care providers.

Continuing Education

Continuing Education is not offered for this COCA Call.

Target Audience

  • Physicians
  • Nurses
  • Pharmacists
  • Veterinarians
  • Physician Assistants
  • Health Educators
  • Other Clinicians

Additional Information

  • Contact Information: coca@cdc.gov
  • Support/Funding: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Emergency Risk Communication Branch
  • Method of Participation: You may participate in the educational activity by viewing the program information above.