At-home treatment for COVID-19 arrives in Alberta — but there's only enough now for 3,200 people
CBC
Edan Nelson, an immunocompromised Calgarian, woke up Sunday morning with a scratchy sore throat.
A rapid test showed he had COVID-19.
On Monday, he became one of the first Albertans to get a prescription for Paxlovid, a pill newly available in the province that is designed to prevent severe COVID-19 symptoms in eligible adults.
"It's like an anxiety-relief, having this option available," said Nelson, whose doctor told him he might be the first in the province to get the prescription.
"And it's kind of a silver-lining moment, that I got sick the day before this all comes out and I have this option presented to me."
The antiviral treatment — the first COVID-19 therapy that can be taken at home — is designed to help the body fight off the SARS-CoV-2 virus, reduce symptoms from an infection and shorten the period of illness.
Only those patients who have a higher risk of hospitalization will qualify, and the medication must be taken within five days of the onset of symptoms.
The province has an initial supply of 3,200 sets of pills but Alberta Health says its stockpile should double by the end of next month when another 3,200 courses of treatment are expected to arrive from Health Canada.
"Current supplies are limited and are being reserved for Albertans who would benefit the most from it," Alberta Health spokesperson Jason Maloney said Tuesday in a statement.
There are currently 134 pharmacies in Alberta that have received an initial supply of Paxlovid.
More pharmacies, and more patients, could have access to the drug as the federal supply expands and stabilizes, Alberta Health said.
Canada has purchased one million doses. The first batch, consisting of 30,000 sets of pills, is being distributed now.
More than 120,000 additional treatments are expected across the country by March.
The drug is an effective treatment that will help prevent hospitalizations and deaths among vulnerable Albertans, said Craig Jenne, an associate professor in the department of microbiology, immunology and infectious diseases at the University of Calgary.
