Queensway Carleton Hospital receives 700 treatments of COVID-19 antiviral prescription drug
The Queensway Carleton Hospital is hoping to begin administering Pfizer's Paxlovid pill to eligible patients with COVID-19 by next week.
The hospital in Ottawa's west end has received 700 courses of the first take-home medication for treating COVID-19 approved in Canada.
"It's a great opportunity here for, not only QCH but for the Ottawa region," said QCH director of pharmacy Joe Dagenais during an interview on Newstalk 580 CFRA's Ottawa Now with Kristy Cameron.
"We have received 700 courses of this therapy, and now the challenge is making sure that we get it out to the patients that need it in an equitable way."
Health Canada approved Pfizer's COVID-19 antiviral treatment on Monday. Canada pre-ordered one million courses of the treatment, with the first shipment of 30,400 treatments arriving last weekend.
Dagenais says the 700 courses of therapy received by the hospital will cover treatment for five days for each patient.
"You take three tablets twice a day for five days," said Dagenais.
He notes trials on the effectiveness of the five-day treatment showed "basically, 90 per cent reduction in progression of COVID and preventing hospitalizations."
The Queensway Carleton Hospital is waiting for guidance from Ontario's COVID-19 Science Advisory Table on administering the treatment to patients.
Health Canada said on Monday the prescription-only medication can be given to adults aged 18 and older to treat mild to moderate cases of COVID-19.
The Public Health Agency of Canada set interim guidelines to use the treatment while supplies are limited. The provinces are asked to prioritize the medication 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
Dagenais says you must start treatment with Paxlovid within five days of symptom onset.
Dagenais says the Queensway Carleton Hospital will work with the Ottawa Hospital to ensure equitable access to the treatment.
With files from CTVNews.ca Online Politics Producer Rachel Aiello
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Ontario Provincial Police arrest 64 suspects in child sexual exploitation investigation
Ontario Provincial Police say 64 suspects are facing a combined 348 charges in connection with a series of child sexual exploitation investigations that spanned the province.
AstraZeneca says it will withdraw COVID-19 vaccine globally as demand dips
AstraZeneca said on Tuesday it had initiated the worldwide withdrawal of its COVID-19 vaccine due to a 'surplus of available updated vaccines' since the pandemic.
'Summer of discontent': Federal unions vow to fight new 3-day a week office mandate
Federal unions are launching legal challenges and encouraging public sector workers to file "tens of thousands" of grievances over the new mandate requiring federal workers to return to the office at least three days a week in the fall.
Toronto police seek suspect vehicle after security guard shot outside Drake's mansion
Toronto police are seeking help from the public as they continue to investigate a shooting that seriously injured a security guard outside rapper Drake's mansion.
'Ozempic babies': Reports of surprise pregnancies raise new questions about weight loss drugs
Numerous women have shared stories of 'Ozempic babies' on social media. But the joy some experience in discovering pregnancies may come with anxiety about the unknowns.
OPINION What King Charles' schedule being too 'full' to accommodate son suggests
Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, has made headlines with his recent arrival in the U.K., this time to celebrate all things Invictus. But upon the prince landing in the U.K., we have already had confirmation that King Charles III won't have time to see his youngest son during his brief visit.
Seafood, eat food: Calgary Stampede releases Midway menu
The Calgary Stampede has released its menu of sweet, salty and spicy treats available on the Midway for the Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth.
Boy Scouts of America is rebranding. Here's why they've changed their name
After more than a century, Boy Scouts of America is rebranding as Scouting America, another major shakeup for an organization that once proudly resisted change.
These snakes not only fake their own deaths, they use gory special effects to do it
Awards season may be over for human actors this year, but there’s no rest for some of nature’s most audacious thespians.