From Sifo and Sifap the instructions for monoclonal antibodies against covid

The operating instructions for the correct preparation of the monoclonal antibodies.

Following the AIFA decisions of August 5 (Definition of the optimal methods of use of monoclonal antibodies against COVID-19) and August 10 (Changes to the COVID-19 monoclonal antibody register) regarding the methods of use of monoclonal antibodies against COVID-19, the Italian Society of Hospital Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Services of Healthcare Companies - SIFO and the Italian Society of Preparatory Pharmacists - SIFAP have today published the Operating Instructions for the correct preparation and setup of the Casirivimab and Imdevimab cocktail.

“The Instructions aim to support the pharmacist in the correct preparation and set-up of monoclonal antibodies – reads in the document – to be administered in a single intravenous infusion in adult and pediatric patients (over 12 years of age) hospitalized for COVID-19, even on conventional oxygen therapy (not high-flow and not on mechanical ventilation), but with negative serology for anti-Spike SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies”.

“The document is the demonstration of the fruitful, continuous and excellent collaboration between SIFO and SIFAP”, points out Arturo Cavaliere, SIFO president “With this Instruction we also confirm that our attention to COVID-19 issues remains very high, respecting the needs of patients who are still living the dramatic experience of the disease, whether it is experienced in emergency situations or a slow return to normality”.

As specified in the Instructions, monoclonal antibodies do not require new storage and freezing procedures in fact “Unopened vials may be stored in the refrigerator at 2°C to 8°C for up to 24 months. Vials should be stored in the original package in order to protect from light.”

As in the case of vaccines, these operating instructions also pay great attention to pharmacovigilance, a topic that is more timely than ever for the efficacy and safety of new anti-Covid-19 drugs: in fact, the SIFO-SIFAP document specifies that reports of any adverse reactions “must be promptly carried out within 36 hours of the doctor or healthcare professional becoming aware of them”, directly online on the site VigiFarmaco .

These operating instructions  they are to be associated with the previous ones referring to vaccines already developed by SIFO and SIFAP: all the instructions are available on the portal www.sifoweb.it, to support healthcare professionals in providing, as in the past, a clear scientific track to the current innovations in the field of anti Covid-19 therapies.