Health Canada has approved Pfizer’s Paxlovid as the first oral and at-home prescription medication to treat COVID-19 in Canada.
Kelly Grindrod, a pharmacist and University of Waterloo professor, answers common questions about this new drug.
Does Canada have any of this medication yet?
Canada signed an agreement with Pfizer to secure one million treatment courses of Paxlovid. To date, Canada has received 30,400 treatment courses, with another 120,000 expected before the end of March. Ontario has received 11,000 doses which have been shipped across the province.
How does Paxlovid work?
Paxlovid is a combination of two drugs. The main ingredient is nirmatrelvir, which works by stopping the SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes COVID from replicating in the body. Nirmatrelvir works very well, but the body breaks it down very quickly. Thus, Paxlovid also includes a drug called ritonavir, which is added to work as an enzyme blocker to slow the body’s ability to break down nirmatrelvir. It helps boost nirmatrelvir to have a stronger, longer-lasting effect.
Paxlovid is indicated for use in mild illness before someone is sick enough to need hospital care. It aims to prevent a mild infection from becoming a severe infection. People with severe illness are offered different treatments.
Can anyone get Paxlovid from a family doctor? Or will it primarily be used in hospitals?