Pfizer’s Paxlovid COVID-19 antiviral pill has been approved for use in Canada.Health Canada gave its approval on Monday, making Paxlovid the country’s first oral COVID-19 treatment that can be taken at home.Paxlovid can be given to adults 18 and older who are positive for COVID-19 and are experiencing mild or moderate illness, and who are at high risk of becoming more seriously ill, Health Canada said.The treatment, which has to be prescribed, involves taking three pills of two different drugs, twice a day, for five days.
It should be started after a positive COVID-19 test and within five days from the onset of symptoms.“COVID-19 treatments, along with vaccinations and public health measures, are essential to save lives, reduce illness and lessen the burden on our health-care facilities,” said Dr.
Theresa Tam, Canada’s chief public health officer.“Today’s announcement is particularly important as access to easy-to-use treatments could help to reduce the severity of COVID-19 in adults who become newly infected and are at high risk of progressing to serious illness.” New Pfizer COVID-19 pill reduces hospital, death risk by 90%, company says Last month, the federal government announced it signed a purchase agreement with Pfizer to buy up to one million courses of its treatment, pending regulatory approval.
Canada has an option to procure an additional 500,000 courses of the treatment, said Procurement Minister Filomena Tassi.A Pfizer spokesperson told Global News the company is ready to start delivery in Canada immediately.