Province urges patience amid high demand for COVID-19 pill Paxlovid – CBC
Over 1,200 courses of antiviral have been prescribed
Apr 25, 2022
Officials with Health P.E.I. are asking Islanders for patience when trying to access Paxlovid — and say physicians have now prescribed more than 1,200 courses of the highly effective COVID-19 antiviral.
The five-day oral treatment is available to those classified as high risk, including those 50 and older and anyone who is immunocompromised. It needs to be taken within five days of symptom onset.
Dr. Laura O’Connor, physician lead for COVID-19 response for community and seniors, says Health P.E.I. is doing the best it can to meet the demand for the antiviral medication, but added Islanders need to keep in mind that Paxlovid isn’t for everyone.
“Even if we had 150,000 doses, we wouldn’t give it to everybody in the province,” said O’Connor, explaining it may interfere with other medications.
To manage supply and streamline distribution, only 10 Island pharmacies are currently equipped to dispense Paxlovid. A small group of Island doctors who have received additional training can prescribe it.
