Pfizer COVID-19 antiviral drug could arrive by end of week: Alberta Health
The first pills of Pfizer's COVID-19 antiviral drug could arrive in Alberta by the end of the week, officials say.
An Alberta Health spokesperson told CTV News Edmonton the department was working with the federal government to confirm a timeline.
"We hope to receive a first shipment by the end of this week," Chastity Anderson wrote in an email.
The drug was the first oral and at-home prescription medication to be cleared for use in Canada on Monday, with Health Canada's chief medical advisor, Dr. Supriya Sharma, commenting, "No drug, including Paxlovid, is a substitute for vaccination."
The first 30,400 treatment courses – of one million secured by Canada – landed in the country on the weekend. Ottawa has said it will distribute the medication throughout the week.
Anderson did not say how many treatments Alberta would receive.
SHIPMENT TO GO TO LOCAL PHARMACIES
While supply is limited both domestically and globally, provinces have been asked to prioritize giving Paxlovid to:
Individuals who have the highest likelihood of severe illness including those who are immunocompromised regardless of vaccination status;
Individuals over the age of 80 whose vaccinations are not up to date; and
Canadians aged 60 or older who live in underserved rural or remote communities, long-term care homes, who are from First Nations, Inuit, and Metis communities, or whose vaccinations are not up to date.
According to Anderson, Alberta's first doses will be distributed to a "small number of community pharmacies."
"We’re reviewing Health Canada’s guidelines and working with clinicians to determine eligibility criteria. We want to make sure the drug goes to those who will benefit the most, especially early on when the supply will be limited," she added.
Although Dr. Alain Tremblay at the University of Calgary Cumming School of Medicine considers Paxlovid the first "truly effective oral therapy for outpatients with COVID," he said the drug's initial limited supply will be a restraint on its broader impact.
"I can guarantee that it's not going to be enough to treat everyone that might qualify, so there's going to be some decisions to make on how to make sure that the right people, that it's equitable," he commented.
Health Canada has ruled the pill can be given to adults aged 18 and older to treat mild-to-moderate cases of COVID-19 if they have a confirmed positive test and are at high risk of becoming seriously ill.
The authorization also comes with specific instructions on scenarios in which the regime cannot be used, including to prevent COVID-19 infections or to treat patients who are already hospitalized due to severe COVID-19 cases.
Paxlovid cannot be taken for longer than five days in a row.
With files from CTV News Calgary and CTVNews.ca
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'They needed people inside Air Canada:' Police announce arrests in Pearson gold heist
Police say one former and one current employee of Air Canada are among the nine suspects that are facing charges in connection with the gold heist at Pearson International Airport last year.
Disappointment widespread over budget's proposed $200-month disability benefit funding
Advocacy groups across Canada are expressing widespread disappointment about the amount of funding earmarked in the 2024 federal budget for the long-awaited Canada Disability Benefit.
BREAKING Toronto Raptors player Jontay Porter banned from NBA
Toronto Raptors player Jontay Porter has been handed a lifetime ban from The National Basketball Association (NBA) following an investigation which found he disclosed confidential information to sports bettors, the league says.
Earthquake jolts southern Japan
An earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 6.4 hit southern Japan late on Wednesday, said the Japan Meteorological Agency, without issuing a tsunami warning.
ArriveCan contractor to be admonished by MPs in extraordinarily rare parliamentary display
Enacting an extraordinarily rarely used parliamentary power, MPs have summoned an ArriveCan contractor to appear before the House of Commons on Wednesday afternoon to be admonished publicly for failing to answer their questions.
opinion Don Martin: Gusher of Liberal spending won't put out the fire in this dumpster
A Hail Mary rehash of the greatest hits from the Trudeau government’s three-week travelling pony-show, the 2024 federal budget takes aim at reversing the party’s popularity plunge in the under-40 set, writes political columnist Don Martin. But will it work before the next election?
Gas prices across Ontario expected to climb to levels not seen since 2022, analyst says
Ontario is going to see a big jump at the pumps later this week as gas prices in the province hit levels not seen in nearly two years, according to one industry analyst.
Ancient skeletons unearthed in France reveal Mafia-style killings
More than 5,500 years ago, two women were tied up and probably buried alive in a ritual sacrifice, using a form of torture associated today with the Italian Mafia, according to an analysis of skeletons discovered at an archeological site in southwest France.
Paul McCartney and John Lennon’s sons have released a single together
A new Lennon and McCartney collaboration is the last thing anybody expected.