Nirmatrelvir‐ritonavir treatment of COVID‐19 in a high‐risk patient population: A retrospective observational study.

Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) is a highly contagious, airborne viral infection that can infect anyone. Those with certain underlying conditions may be at higher risk for infection to develop into a severe disease requiring hospitalization. This report summarizes use of nirmatrelvir‐ritonavir for the treatment of COVID‐19 in high‐risk patients at a single academic medical center through a pharmacist delegation protocol and demonstrates real‐world efficacy and safety of treatment. Methods: This retrospective, single‐center, observational study analyzed all patients who received nirmatrelvir‐ritonavir ordered by a clinical pharmacist for treatment of COVID‐19 infection. The primary outcomes were safety and efficacy of nirmatrelvir‐ritonavir. Safety was evaluated by analyzing drug interaction management and adverse events. Efficacy was evaluated through hospitalization and death within 28 days of nirmatrelvir‐ritonavir use. Results: Sixty patients were eligible for inclusion. No patients were hospitalized or died within 28 days after initiation of nirmatrelvir‐ritonavir. Pharmacists identified 101 drug interactions with 60% considered clinically significant, requiring modification of home medications. Adverse outcomes associated with the use of nirmatrelvir‐ritonavir were reported in 13 patients (21.7%). Conclusions: A comprehensive program to mitigate drug interactions and prescribe nirmatrelvir‐ritonavir ensured timely access to COVID‐19 therapy, which may be associated with the prevention of hospitalization and death. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]