COVID-19 – Drug Monitoring Guidance

The NHS Specialist Pharmacy Service have published Guidance on management of drugs requiring monitoring during COVID-19 – supported by background advice on General Factors to Consider when making Monitoring Decisions.

The objective of the guidance is to protect patients from unnecessary health care visits and help preserve capacity in primary care.  The SPS guide recommends that drug monitoring during the COVID-19 pandemic is prioritised for patients that will gain most benefit, such as:

• Those at risk of a serious adverse drug event that can be identified through monitoring
• Those taking a Narrow Therapeutic Index drug when intensive monitoring is required (e.g. upon initiation)
• Those who have recently had an illness that may impact on how their drug works

[See also: NHS Northern Region Rheumatology Guide to DMARD Monitoring Changes]