Updated 11 September 2024
The table outlines which treatments are now going to be available on the NHS to patients following NICE’s decision in March 2024, and which treatments will be withdrawn.
In the community (non-hospital) setting, for the treatment of immunocompromised people with mild COVID-19, access to molnupiravir and remdesivir will be withdrawn. This means that paxlovid will continue to be available, as will sotrovimab for those who are unsuitable for paxlovid. NICE also looked at two treatments which weren’t previously approved in this setting, tixagevimab plus cilgavimab (Evusheld) and casirivimab plus imdevimab, but decided not to recommend these for NHS use.
In the hospital setting, the treatments remdesivir and casirivimab plus imdevimab were being used to treat patients with more serious COVID-19, but NICE has decided to withdraw access to both of these treatments. Instead, NHS clinicians who are treating patients in hospital with supplemental oxygen will now have access to tocilizumab and baricitinib. There have been no additional treatments recommended or removed for those in hospital without oxygen.
It is worth noting that some standard hospital treatments which weren’t looked at by NICE in this appraisal, such as dexamethasone, will still be available.
In England, if you test positive for COVID-19 you will no longer automatically be contacted by the NHS to discuss treatment. The way you access assessment for COVID-19 treatments varies depending on where you live.
Use the links to find out what you should do in your area as soon as you test positive for covid. You should follow the instructions for your local Integrated Care Board (ICB) – the area where you are registered with a GP. Find your local Integrated Care Board on the NHS website.
If you are travelling within the UK and test positive for COVID-19, contact NHS 111.
In some areas, you can refer yourself for treatment. If this applies to you, make sure you have the following information to hand when you make contact with a COVID-19 Medicines Delivery Unit (CMDU) or a similar service:
Although you do not have to register your positive test (online or by 119) to access treatments, we still recommend you do this because it will mean your test result is visible to the NHS against your NHS number.
If your area doesn’t have a CMDU, or you have problems in reaching them contact your GP, medical care team or call 111.
If you get symptoms of covid, you should take a lateral flow test as soon as possible. If it’s positive, you’ll need to log your positive test online or by calling 119.
You should then report your positive covid result to your Health Board. You can find contact numbers for each Health Board here.
Whoever you speak to, tell them you are immunosuppressed, with a positive covid test, and that you think you are eligible for treatment. You could also get advice by calling 111, your hospital team or your GP.
If you get symptoms of COVID-19, you should take a lateral flow test as soon as possible. If it’s positive, you will need to complete this form to access treatment: Covid-19 Antiviral Self-Referral Form (NHS111 Wales).
You should then be contacted by your Local Health Board within 48 hours. You may be contacted by telephone or text message. If you are eligible for treatment, they will tell you how to get it. This will depend on which treatment is suitable for you.
If you can’t complete the online form, or you are not contacted within 48 hours of reporting your test result, call NHS111. Tell them you have covid symptoms, have tested positive, believe you are in the highest risk group and are eligible for treatment.
For more information, read the Welsh Government’s information about covid treatments. The Welsh Medicines Advice Service also has information about COVID-19 treatments and how to access them.
You can find contact numbers for each Local Health Board in Wales here.
If you get symptoms of COVID-19, you should take a lateral flow test as soon as possible. If it’s positive, you’ll need to log your positive test online. You should receive a text message advising that your local HSC Trust will be told and that medical staff will review information in your medical records.
If you cannot use the online service to report your test result, or you have used the service but not received a text message within 24 hours, contact your GP or GP out of hours service. They can contact your local Trust for you.
Make sure you keep a box of rapid lateral flow tests at home. Free testing is no longer available to the general public, but if you are eligible for covid treatments, you can still get free tests.
You can also use tests you buy from a pharmacy. The results of these will be accepted.
If you get COVID-19 symptoms, take a rapid lateral flow test as soon as possible. If it’s positive, follow the instructions for your country, or your local area if you live in England. If the test is negative, but you have covid symptoms, continue to take lateral flow tests daily.
From 6 November 2023, you should be able to pick up free rapid lateral flow tests from a local pharmacy. Tests now come in boxes of 5.
When you visit your pharmacy, take a copy of a letter or email that shows you’re eligible for covid treatments – this is not essential but will help confirm that you should have free tests.
A friend, relative or carer can collect tests for you, or you may be able to book a volunteer responder by calling 0808 196 3646. Anyone collecting free tests for you should take a letter or email confirming your eligibility for COVID-19 treatments, plus these personal details:
Some people have told us they are having difficulty getting free tests. You can check for pharmacies that offer free lateral flow tests by entering your location into this NHS pharmacy finder. You need to be eligible for COVID-19 treatments to get free tests.
You can order free covid tests from the NHS Scotland portal.
In Wales, from 1 February 2024 you will be able to collect free tests from participating pharmacies. You will not be able to order tests online or by phone from this date.
Use the NHS Wales online search to find a pharmacy near you providing free tests.
