By: Thomas I. Likness
Eagle News Service

(Eagle News) — Canada has a new weapon in its fight against COVID-19.

Pfizer has been given the green light distribute use its COVID-19 antiviral drug Paxlovid, Health Canada said Monday.

“The authorization today provides a new tool the toolkit against COVID-19 at a crucial time the pandemic as we’re faced with new variants,” said Health Canada’s Chief Medical Adviser, Dr. Supriya Sharma. “Importantly, it is a more accessible antiviral treatment for those at high risk of progression to severe COVID-19.

It is the first oral and at-home prescription medication to receive approval in the country.

Health Canada says Paxlovid can be given to patients 18 years of age and older who have mild to moderate cases of covid-19 and are at risk of becoming seriously ill.

There are specific guidelines on how this medication can be used.

The two antiviral medications are packaged together and cannot be taken for more than five days at a time.

It cannot be used as a preventative measure, on patients already hospitalized with severe cases of the infection, or on children and teens.

Sharma stressed even though this treatment may reduce the number of Covid cases in hospital, immunization is still the key to taming the pandemic.

“No drug, including Paxlovid, is a substitute for vaccination,” she said.

Delivery of the drug is expected to begin immediately.
(Eagle News Service)