Treating COVID-19 with pharmaceuticals viable

In response to the IJ's article about new COVID-19 treatments (“Some Marin COVID patients get new treatment,” April 8) and as a chief medical officer at Marin Community Clinics, I commend raising awareness about potentially lifesaving pills (such as Paxlovid) that are currently available in Marin.

I agree with Marin Public Health Officer Dr. Matt Willis that treating COVID-19 with pharmaceuticals is a viable path forward for managing the virus.

I recognize that COVID-19 is quickly evolving into another chronic disease manageable by primary care. Past mainstays of chronic disease prevention and management include checking blood sugars and blood pressures, as well as ordering screening tests as needed. Now, just over a year after we began vaccinating in Marin, we have several options to treat COVID-19, and oral therapeutics are increasingly available in primary care offices such as ours.

I have experienced the pain of losing a patient and I am grateful that new treatments are available to help minimize the risk. With better tools, new medications and access to rapid testing — there is now further opportunity for care providers to prevent severe infection, hospitalization and death. Evidence supports the use of these therapeutics. Paxlovid can reduce hospitalizations by about 89% and reduce viral load tenfold when taken immediately after diagnosis and within the first five days of the onset of COVID-19 symptoms.

With any new medication, I always weigh the risks and benefits of treatment options with patients. I determine if patients are at risk, review any other medication interactions and review kidney function. We are able to modify doses or provide alternative treatment options as needed. Oral therapeutics for COVID-19 aren't unlike many other medications we prescribe on a daily basis. Treatment options like Paxlovid need not sit on shelves when they can be saving lives.

— Dr. Melanie Thompson,

San Rafael