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Director Letters (formerly MELs/CELs/HDLs etc) are currently being reviewed to ensure it is clear which publications are current, superseded or obsolete.
Publication #7833
Reference
DL(2023)07
Name
Discontinuation of PCR surveillance testing for non-hospitalised patients prescribed COVID-19 medicines
Categories
Scottish Government
DL (CEL, HDL, MEL)
Organization
Scottish Government Health and Social Care Directorates
Keywords
NHS
SCOTLAND
HEALTH BOARDS
SPECIAL HEALTH BOARDS
PCR SURVEILLANCE
NON-HOSPITALISED PATIENTS
COVID-19
CORONAVIRUS
MEDICATIONS
Description
In June 2022, we wrote to inform you that non-hospitalised patients who were prescribed directly acting COVID-19 medicines (antivirals and/or monoclonal antibodies) should be encouraged to take two PCR tests for sequencing for surveillance purposes, (see DL(2022)22 paragraph 15-17 available at https://www.sehd.scot.nhs.uk/dl/DL(2022)22.pdf). We have been working with Public Health Scotland on the Respiratory Surveillance Programme and have reviewed this policy as part of our ongoing work. Under the current testing strategy, only about 0.1% of eligible patients in Scotland successfully completed pre- and post-treatment testing. Such small numbers do not provide enough information on the possible effects of antiviral or monoclonal antibody therapy on driving viral evolution. As a result of this review, and with agreement of the Therapeutics Surveillance Steering Group, we have decided to stop the routine sequencing of this cohort with immediate effect.
Contact Name
Future Threats & Surveillance Team
Contact Email
Contact Address
Contact Phone
Created
2023-03-14 00:00:00
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