GPs need more support in managing patients with long COVID, a syndrome that is poorly understood, has some 200 possible symptoms and poses a ‘significant’ burden for Australia, a parliamentary inquiry says. 

Its report into the impact of long COVID called for clearer guidelines on diagnosing and treating the condition and the creation of a national database on cases. 

The inquiry also recommended allowing pharmacists to prescribe antivirals for COVID-19 patients to reduce pressure on GPs and enable “timely access” to the medications.

“Given that it is recommended that antiviral treatments be commenced within the first five days of symptoms onset to be effective, timely access to a GP, physician or nurse practitioner is critical,” the committee noted.