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People with underlying health conditions urged to sign up to COVID-19 Antiviral Study
We are one of many leading charities alongside the government who are backing this study, and encouraging people to come forward and sign up for this trial as soon as they test positive for COVID-19.
The study needs at least 6,000 more participants, although not all who apply will have access to the antiviral as the selection of participants is randomised. This means some people will get access to the drug and be required to fill in a diary, whereas others will just be asked to fill in the diary.
Health and Social Care Secretary Sajid Javid said: “The vaccines are critical as a first line of defence, but antivirals form a vital part of our approach as we learn to live with COVID by preventing the most vulnerable from being hospitalised. If you’re eligible, please step forward for the PANORAMIC trial and play your part in a vital mission – helping us to learn more about medicines which could save thousands of lives.”
Antiviral medicines can be swallowed as tablets, in order to treat those with COVID-19 infections, in the hope of reducing risk of hospitalisations, and death. The study so far has shown that this medication can reduce this for at risk, non-hospitalised adults by up to 30%.
Pippa Erskine, a double lung transplant recipient who lives with CF, was able to access antivirals after testing positive for COVID-19 at the start of January this year.
“Even after three vaccines, testing positive for COVID-19 after avoiding the virus for more than 18 months was worrying. Knowing antivirals would help ease my symptoms and help prevent potential complications was a huge relief. I’d urge anyone eligible for the trial to put themselves forward to help make antivirals more widely available, and to protect themselves and others.”
Pippa Erskine
David Ramsden, chief executive of Cystic Fibrosis Trust, added to this encouragement, and said: “It is vital that we continue to focus on the development and evaluation of new treatments for COVID-19. This is a really important study and we would encourage all eligible people with cystic fibrosis to get involved.”
The study was rolled out in early December 2021, and currently has 4,500 participants signed up, but it is important that thousands more also sign up so that crucial data can be gathered. Eligible adults can sign up through this link, and are urged to do so as soon as they test positive and develop symptoms for COVID-19.
People with CF who are immunocompromised, including those who are post transplant, would be offered the antivirals anyway, without participating in the Panoramic study.
Sign up to the PANORAMIC trial
Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a genetic condition which causes sticky mucus to build up in the lungs and digestive system. It affects more than 10,800 people in the UK. One in 25 of us carries the faulty gene that causes it, usually without knowing.
If you’re struggling with any aspect of CF, we’re here to help. Contact our Helpline for support, a listening ear or just someone to talk to.
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Take a look at some of the commonly asked questions about coronavirus (COVID-19) and how it affects people with cystic fibrosis (CF) and their families.
COVID-19 treatments and cystic fibrosis
This page contains information about the latest treatments for COVID-19 that some people with cystic fibrosis (CF) may be eligible for if they test positive for COVID-19 on a PCR test.
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