Paxlovid pricey for Alberta pharmacies to stock and tougher for patients to find
CBC
Concerns are growing in Alberta about the accessibility and affordability of Paxlovid, after the federal government ended its program supplying the COVID-19 treatment to provinces, which provided the drug for free to specific groups of high-risk patients.
Paxlovid is an anti-viral medication used to treat mild to moderate COVID-19 in people at high risk of severe illness. It should be taken within five days of symptom onset.
Prior to the change, Alberta pharmacies paid a small fee to stock the drug. Now they're required to pay the full cost upfront.
One treatment course costs approximately $1,400, according to Randy Howden, president of the Alberta Pharmacists' Association.
"So it is quite a large cost to keep in stock," said Howden.
"I think that there's probably been a decrease in the number of pharmacies keeping the product in stock.… So it's probably harder to access in those cases."
According to Howden, Paxlovid can't be returned to the warehouse for a credit if it isn't dispensed before it expires.
"That might be scaring some pharmacies away as well."
He said demand has decreased and most pharmacies can order Paxlovid and have it delivered the next business day, which is also an option if no other stores in the area have it in stock.
At Calgary's Sage Plus Clinical Pharmacy, manager Joyce Choi said she can't afford to have it on hand.
"That's $1,400 that's on my shelf that may or may not be sold," said Choi.
"It's a lot of financial burden for a small business.…. For me to keep a product that may or may not be sold for a very restricted population, it's difficult to ask."
In a recent update to its members, the Alberta College of Pharmacy said it's aware of multiple reports of patients having problems obtaining Paxlovid.
"If Paxlovid is not stocked, teams should research an alternate source to which patients can be reliably referred for quick access," the website reads, noting patients often show up with a prescription near the end of the five-day window.
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