Menu
25/01/2022
Call For Participants In World Leading Covid-19 Antiviral Drug Study
The Health Minister, Robin Swann, has called for people in Northern Ireland to take part in a world leading study on life-saving COVID-19 antiviral drugs.
The PANORAMIC trial, run by the University of Oxford, is open to the over-50s, as well as adults with an underlying health condition, if they test positive for COVID-19. Around 4,500 participants across the UK have already signed up to the study, but thousands more are being recruited.
The Minister said: "Vaccines remain our most important defence against the effects of COVID-19, but these antivirals are vital in helping to protect the most vulnerable from serious illness and hospitalisation.
"Patients from Northern Ireland are among the thousands who have received the new drugs but at least 6,000 more participants are needed across the UK as soon as possible. This is so that expert scientists can understand more about how to deploy these life-saving treatments in the health service more widely later in the year.
"If you're eligible, please step forward for the PANORAMIC trial and play your part in helping us to learn more about medicines which could save thousands of lives."
Antivirals are medicines which are swallowed as a capsule to help treat people with COVID-19 infections to reduce the risk of hospitalisations and death. Molnupiravir, which is currently being deployed through the study, has shown to reduce this for at risk, non-hospitalised adults with mild to moderate COVID-19 by 30% - potentially saving thousands of lives once the drugs are widely available in the health service.
Anyone over the age of 50, or between 18 to 49 with an underlying health condition, can sign up to the study as soon as they receive a positive PCR or lateral flow test result. They need to be experiencing COVID-19 symptoms that began in the last five days to be eligible to enrol.
Chief Medical Officer Professor Sir Michael McBride said: "Antivirals are used after someone contracts the virus to slow it down, make symptoms less severe and complications less common. It's so important that those vulnerable to COVID-19 have the best possible chance of staying protected against the virus and, most importantly, staying out of hospital. Antivirals can help with this. If you're eligible for PANORAMIC please give serious consideration to taking part. This will help us decide how to use COVID-19 antiviral drugs for many years to come."
Several local GP-led research hubs are being established to ensure people in Northern Ireland get access to this new COVID-19 treatment, and those offering to participate in the trial will help researchers find out if it reduces symptoms and protects the most vulnerable in the community from needing hospital treatment.
Professor Nigel Hart, co-lead of the primary care group of the Northern Ireland Clinical Research Network (NICRN) and Lead Investigator for PANORAMIC in Northern Ireland, said: "Although vaccines remain the first line of defence against COVID-19 we still require treatments for those who contract the virus. This study is evaluating anti-viral medications and there are already encouraging results, however we need to quickly generate further information to help inform UK wide plans for their routine prescribing. The best way to do this is in a clinical trial."
The government, through the Antivirals Taskforce, has procured 4.98m courses of antivirals – including 2.23m courses of Molnupiravir and 2.75m courses of PF-07321332/ritonavir (also called Paxlovid).
Chief Pharmaceutical Officer Cathy Harrison said: "Antivirals are an important addition to our response to COVID-19 and we have secured access to two important products for patients in Northern Ireland. Getting people enrolled onto this study will inform how we may deploy these medicines more widely as soon as possible. It is vital for that we continue to focus on the development and evaluation of new treatments for COVID-19."
The PANORAMIC trial, run by the University of Oxford, is open to the over-50s, as well as adults with an underlying health condition, if they test positive for COVID-19. Around 4,500 participants across the UK have already signed up to the study, but thousands more are being recruited.
The Minister said: "Vaccines remain our most important defence against the effects of COVID-19, but these antivirals are vital in helping to protect the most vulnerable from serious illness and hospitalisation.
"Patients from Northern Ireland are among the thousands who have received the new drugs but at least 6,000 more participants are needed across the UK as soon as possible. This is so that expert scientists can understand more about how to deploy these life-saving treatments in the health service more widely later in the year.
"If you're eligible, please step forward for the PANORAMIC trial and play your part in helping us to learn more about medicines which could save thousands of lives."
Antivirals are medicines which are swallowed as a capsule to help treat people with COVID-19 infections to reduce the risk of hospitalisations and death. Molnupiravir, which is currently being deployed through the study, has shown to reduce this for at risk, non-hospitalised adults with mild to moderate COVID-19 by 30% - potentially saving thousands of lives once the drugs are widely available in the health service.
Anyone over the age of 50, or between 18 to 49 with an underlying health condition, can sign up to the study as soon as they receive a positive PCR or lateral flow test result. They need to be experiencing COVID-19 symptoms that began in the last five days to be eligible to enrol.
Chief Medical Officer Professor Sir Michael McBride said: "Antivirals are used after someone contracts the virus to slow it down, make symptoms less severe and complications less common. It's so important that those vulnerable to COVID-19 have the best possible chance of staying protected against the virus and, most importantly, staying out of hospital. Antivirals can help with this. If you're eligible for PANORAMIC please give serious consideration to taking part. This will help us decide how to use COVID-19 antiviral drugs for many years to come."
Several local GP-led research hubs are being established to ensure people in Northern Ireland get access to this new COVID-19 treatment, and those offering to participate in the trial will help researchers find out if it reduces symptoms and protects the most vulnerable in the community from needing hospital treatment.
Professor Nigel Hart, co-lead of the primary care group of the Northern Ireland Clinical Research Network (NICRN) and Lead Investigator for PANORAMIC in Northern Ireland, said: "Although vaccines remain the first line of defence against COVID-19 we still require treatments for those who contract the virus. This study is evaluating anti-viral medications and there are already encouraging results, however we need to quickly generate further information to help inform UK wide plans for their routine prescribing. The best way to do this is in a clinical trial."
The government, through the Antivirals Taskforce, has procured 4.98m courses of antivirals – including 2.23m courses of Molnupiravir and 2.75m courses of PF-07321332/ritonavir (also called Paxlovid).
Chief Pharmaceutical Officer Cathy Harrison said: "Antivirals are an important addition to our response to COVID-19 and we have secured access to two important products for patients in Northern Ireland. Getting people enrolled onto this study will inform how we may deploy these medicines more widely as soon as possible. It is vital for that we continue to focus on the development and evaluation of new treatments for COVID-19."
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
20 November 2024
Man Extradited From Ireland To Face Serious Charges
A 33-year-old man has been extradited from Northern Ireland to the Republic of Ireland to face serious charges. The man is accused of assault causing harm, coercive control, contravention of a safety order, theft, and possession of a weapon. The alleged offences occurred in the Monaghan area between 2020 and 2021.
Man Extradited From Ireland To Face Serious Charges
A 33-year-old man has been extradited from Northern Ireland to the Republic of Ireland to face serious charges. The man is accused of assault causing harm, coercive control, contravention of a safety order, theft, and possession of a weapon. The alleged offences occurred in the Monaghan area between 2020 and 2021.
22 November 2024
Mobile Gaming Trends in Northern Ireland
Mobile gaming has become an integral part of the entertainment landscape in Northern Ireland, encompassing everything from sports betting and online gambling to video games. As technology advances, particularly with the advent of 5G, the mobile gaming sector is poised for significant growth and transformation.
Mobile Gaming Trends in Northern Ireland
Mobile gaming has become an integral part of the entertainment landscape in Northern Ireland, encompassing everything from sports betting and online gambling to video games. As technology advances, particularly with the advent of 5G, the mobile gaming sector is poised for significant growth and transformation.
21 November 2024
UK Education Ministers Meet In Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland hosted the fifth UK Education Ministers' Council (EMC) meeting at Laurelhill Community College in Lisburn.
UK Education Ministers Meet In Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland hosted the fifth UK Education Ministers' Council (EMC) meeting at Laurelhill Community College in Lisburn.
21 November 2024
Work Underway For Free Hospital Parking In Northern Ireland
Work has begun at several hospital sites across Northern Ireland as part of the preparations for the introduction of free car parking in May 2026. Health and Social Care Trusts have been actively preparing for the implementation of a new traffic management system since the Hospital Parking Charges Act was passed in 2022.
Work Underway For Free Hospital Parking In Northern Ireland
Work has begun at several hospital sites across Northern Ireland as part of the preparations for the introduction of free car parking in May 2026. Health and Social Care Trusts have been actively preparing for the implementation of a new traffic management system since the Hospital Parking Charges Act was passed in 2022.
18 November 2024
Minister Lyons Highlights Northern Ireland's Engineering Heritage
Communities Minister Gordon Lyons has praised the engineering heritage of Northern Ireland during a recent visit to the Ulster Folk and Transport Museum. A particular highlight of the visit was the Ferguson Black Tractor, a groundbreaking piece of machinery that revolutionised agriculture worldwide.
Minister Lyons Highlights Northern Ireland's Engineering Heritage
Communities Minister Gordon Lyons has praised the engineering heritage of Northern Ireland during a recent visit to the Ulster Folk and Transport Museum. A particular highlight of the visit was the Ferguson Black Tractor, a groundbreaking piece of machinery that revolutionised agriculture worldwide.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
