Paxlovid, Pfizer’s oral COVID-19 pill, set to be approved in Canada
Global News
Pfizer began a rolling submission with Health Canada in December for Paxlovid, which it said is designed to block a key enzyme needed for the COVID-19 virus to multiply.
Pfizer’s Paxlovid COVID-19 antiviral pill has been approved for use in Canada, Global News has learned.
Health Canada is expected to announce Monday it has approved Pfizer’s pill for use in the fight against COVID-19.
Globalnews.ca will live stream a news conference by Health Canada officials at 11 a.m. EST.
Last month, the federal government announced it signed a purchase agreement with Pfizer to buy up to one million courses of its treatment, pending regulatory approval.
Pfizer began a rolling submission with Health Canada in December for Paxlovid, which it said is designed to block a key enzyme needed for the COVID-19 virus to multiply.
The full results of Pfizer’s 2,250-person study found the drug reduced combined hospitalizations and deaths by about 89 per cent among high-risk adults when taken shortly after initial COVID-19 symptoms.
Pfizer added on Dec. 14 its COVID-19 pill appeared to be effective against the Omicron variant.
Separate laboratory testing also showed that the drug still works when it faces off against the Omicron variant, according to Pfizer.