FIP Issues COVID-19 Guidance for Pharmacists Use

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The International Pharmaceutical Federation, FIP, has released a new guidance on Friday to assist pharmacists in counseling patients on COVID-19 tests.  

The guidance was produced by FIP’s SARS-CoV-2 Testing Working Group, which has evaluated the diagnostic testing methods and devices currently available. 

In a statement obtained by Pharmanewsonline, it was stated that the document contains explanations on the dynamics of different types of diagnostic test work and the interpretation of results. 

The new SARS-CoV-2 test guidelines also addresses the question of whether or not the presence of antibodies confers immunity to  COVID-19 and makes recommendations on information to give to patients who have tested positive or negative.

“COVID-19 tests are available from many different manufacturers and the information in this document is intended to be useful to everyone, whether they provide point-of-care tests or not,” said Dr Julien Fonsart, working group lead and president of FIP’s Clinical Biology Section. 

Summery of tables and diagrams information related to the guidance include: Diagnosis of current infection (with antigenic/virological/molecular tests); Diagnosis of past infection (serological, also called antibody, tests); and specimen collection.

Produced with input from FIP member organisation, the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, the guidance will be updated as more information becomes available. 

The International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP) is the global federation of national associations of pharmacists, pharmaceutical scientists and pharmacy educators, and is in official relations with the World Health Organization. Through its 146 member organisations, it represents over four million practitioners and scientists around the world.

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