Sask. to reveal distribution plan for COVID-19 prescription drug
The Government of Saskatchewan is planning to release details about distribution of a newly authorized oral COVID-19 antiviral treatment, later this week.
Paxlovid, a COVID-19 prescription medication developed by Pfizer, was approved by Health Canada on Monday.
“Note that this treatment, which is another tool in our fight against COVID is not yet available in the province,” Marlo Pritchard, the president of the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency, said during a press conference Tuesday.
“Eligibility criteria and distribution will be announced in the coming days.”
Pritchard noted there are no means to access the medication in Saskatchewan, until those details are announced.
“For most residents, this will not replace vaccinations. Fully vaccinated individuals are still less likely to get a severe case of Omicron, than the unvaccinated,” Pritchard said.
Paxlovid is the first oral and at-home COVID-19 prescription medication to be cleared for use in Canada.
The federal health agency said the prescription-only medication can be given to adults ages 18 and older to treat mild to moderate cases of COVID-19, if they have a confirmed positive test and are at a high risk of becoming seriously ill.
“The authorization provides a new tool the toolkit against COVID-19 at a crucial time in the pandemic, as we're faced with new variants. Importantly, it is a more accessible antiviral treatment for those at high risk of progression to severe COVID-19,” said Health Canada’s Chief Medical Adviser Dr. Supriya Sharma, during a technical briefing discussing Paxlovid’s authorization.
The federal government announced it secured one million treatment courses of Paxlovid, with 30,400 full courses of the drug arriving in Canada over the weekend.
With files from CTVNews.ca
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Widow looking for answers after Quebec man dies in Texas Ironman competition
The widow of a Quebec man who died competing in an Ironman competition is looking for answers.
Tom Mulcair: Park littered with trash after 'pilot project' is perfect symbol of Trudeau governance
Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair says that what's happening now in a trash-littered federal park in Quebec is a perfect metaphor for how the Trudeau government runs things.
World seeing near breakdown of international law amid wars in Gaza and Ukraine, Amnesty says
The world is seeing a near breakdown of international law amid flagrant rule-breaking in Gaza and Ukraine, multiplying armed conflicts, the rise of authoritarianism and huge rights violations in Sudan, Ethiopia and Myanmar, Amnesty International warned Wednesday as it published its annual report.
Photographer alleges he was forced to watch Megan Thee Stallion have sex and was unfairly fired
A photographer who worked for Megan Thee Stallion said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that he was forced to watch her have sex, was unfairly fired soon after and was abused as her employee.
Amid concerns over 'collateral damage' Trudeau, Freeland defend capital gains tax change
Facing pushback from physicians and businesspeople over the coming increase to the capital gains inclusion rate, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his deputy Chrystia Freeland are standing by their plan to target Canada's highest earners.
U.S. Senate passes bill forcing TikTok's parent company to sell or face ban, sends to Biden for signature
The Senate passed legislation Tuesday that would force TikTok's China-based parent company to sell the social media platform under the threat of a ban, a contentious move by U.S. lawmakers that's expected to face legal challenges.
Wildfire southwest of Peace River spurs evacuation order
People living near a wildfire burning about 15 kilometres southwest of Peace River are being told to evacuate their homes.
U.S. Senate overwhelmingly passes aid for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan with big bipartisan vote
The U.S. Senate has passed US$95 billion in war aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, sending the legislation to President Joe Biden after months of delays and contentious debate over how involved the United States should be in foreign wars.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.