Ultimately, it is up to rheumatologists to maintain open communication and have plans in place to ensure patients are able to obtain their medications.
Sara Jo Santangelo is a pharmacy intern for the University of Kentucky (UK) Specialty Pharmacy and is pursuing a Doctor of Pharmacy at the UK College of Pharmacy.
Wendy Ramey, BSPharm, RPh, CSP, is a clinic-based specialty pharmacist with the University of Kentucky Specialty Pharmacy’s rheumatology program. She received her Specialty Pharmacist Certification in October 2016.
References
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- RECOVERY Collaborative Group. Tocilizumab in patients admitted to hospital with COVID-19 (RECOVERY): A randomized, controlled, open-label, platform trial. Lancet. 2021;397(10285):1637–1645.
- Marconi VC, Ramanan AV, de Bono S, et al. Efficacy and safety of baricitinib for the treatment of hospitalized adults with COVID-19 (COV-BARRIER): A randomized, double-blind, parallel-group, placebo-controlled phase 3 trial. Lancet Respir Med. 2021;9(12):1407–1418.
- Update on Actemra (tocilizumab) supply in the U.S. [media statement]. Genentech. 2021 Sep 3; current as of 2022 March.
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- From the College. ACR guidance on tocilizumab allocation during shortage. The Rheumatologist. 2021 Sep 1.
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