A Review of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) for Pharmacists

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a respiratory infection caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The most common symptoms of COVID-19 are fever, cough, and shortness of breath, with presentations ranging from absence of symptoms to severe infection requiring mechanical ventilation. COVID-19 has spread throughout the world and was declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization in March 2020. Current clinical management includes infection prevention measures and supportive care. Additionally, many investigational therapies are being used for the treatment of patients with this novel infection. Guidelines for the management of COVID-19 are being regularly updated based on rapidly emerging information. Pharmacists are in a key position to provide recommendations for appropriate preventive measures and to actively work with other healthcare professionals to ensure appropriate management of patients presenting with this infection.