AQW 4917/22-27

Mr Nick Mathison
Alliance Party
Strangford

Tabled Date: 19/10/2022
Answered On Date: 27/10/2022
Priority Written: Yes

Question:
To ask the Minister of Health to detail how (i) Clopidogrel; and (ii) Rivaroxaban are currently being used to treat Long Covid patients in Northern Ireland.

Answer:

There are as yet no evidence-based drug regimes specifically to treat Long Covid. Knowledge of Long Covid is still evolving. The condition is complex with more than one body system affected. Individuals can have unique combinations of fluctuating symptoms which provides challenges when diagnosing and developing treatments for this condition.

Scientists still know very little about the underlying mechanisms of long COVID despite widespread reports about it since near the start of the pandemic. COVID-19 affects the lining of the blood vessels, and I understand scientists are currently investigating whether Long Covid symptoms could have links to this and if antiplatelet therapy and anticoagulants would be viable options in the treating of individuals who may have Long Covid.

However, the published evidence base for interventions specifically aimed at a curative treatment are sparse at present and further high quality research is required in order to inform future treatments and models of care for those who may have Long Covid.

Until then, the current service is focussed on holistic assessment, exclusion of other significant conditions, identifying patients with breathlessness who may benefit from pulmonary rehabilitation and those who need onward referral to secondary or community services. This is complemented by signposting to self-management resources.