COVID-19 Paxlovid was approved by Health Canada in January, but you may not be able to leave a pharmacy in New Brunswick today.
The antiviral pill produced by Pfizer is designed to reduce the risk of hospitalization or death for vulnerable people infected with COVID-19.
Prescribed by primary care providers and available in pharmacies free of charge.
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However, the eligibility of the pill is still narrower in New Brunswick than in some neighboring provinces.
“This is still a very widespread treatment throughout the province,” said Kevin Duplicea, a pharmacist in Sussex and a board member of the New Brunswick Association of Pharmacists.
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The association says it meets regularly with public health on pandemic issues and has met to discuss the introduction of Paxlovid.
The following groups are currently considered eligible for the drug in the province:
- Those aged 50 and over who have not been fully vaccinated,
- Those aged 50 and over who live in long-term care, receive home care or live in a community of first nations,
- People aged 18 and over with a compromised immune system from active or recent cancer treatment, solid organ transplantation, stem cell transplantation, advanced or untreated HIV infection, and more.
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With the exception of people living with an outbreak in any long-term care setting, New Brunswick requires that COVID-19 infection be confirmed by PCR before a prescription for Paxlovid can be obtained.
It is the only Atlantic province that does not accept rapid tests. The time required to reserve, receive and receive PCR test results can potentially reduce important treatment time.
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Duplisea says his pharmacist does not have active prescriptions for Paxlovid, in part because of strict public health criteria.
“In the beginning, I had a recipe a few weeks ago, but this person did not meet the criteria and was recommended,” he said.
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He says that it should be seen as just one tool in the toolbar used to combat COVID-19, and that even if you meet the conditions, you should give priority to your protection so that you don’t catch it first. place.
“The main point I want to share with New Brunswickers is that although it’s available and it’s wonderful, it’s not a magic bullet,” says Duplisea.
“This does not replace basic hand hygiene, wearing a mask and all your COVID-19 vaccines.”
In a statement sent to Global News Friday, a public health spokesman said 682 New Brunswickers have so far been prescribed Paxlovid.
© 2022 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.
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