British Columbia will cover the cost of an antiviral drug aimed at treating mild to moderate cases of COVID-19 as the federal government ends its coverage.
A statement from B.C.’s Health Ministry says the province will provide 100 per cent coverage for the treatment sold under the brand name Paxlovid, for B.C. residents with an active medical services plan.
A provincial government web page says the change took effect on Tuesday, after the federal government stopped supplying Paxlovid in March, and pharmacies are to obtain Paxlovid supplies from their wholesaler.
The Health Ministry says the drug is recommended for people at higher risk of serious illness and hospitalization due to COVID-19, such as those who are immunocompromised.
It says treatment with Paxlovid must begin within five days of the start of symptoms to be effective and can help prevent symptoms getting worse.
The ministry adds that a spring booster vaccine for COVID-19 has been available for B.C. residents since early April.
Fresh guidance on drug’s use
Paxlovid, made by Pfizer, was approved for use in Canada in 2022. It is used to treat people who are most at risk of a mild to moderate infection becoming serious or life-threatening.
Last month, the expert committee for the Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health, the body providing advice for the country’s publicly funded health-care systems, offered fresh guidance for how drug plans should cover the treatment.
It suggested Paxlovid should only be reimbursed for patients who are severely or moderately immunosuppressed, or anyone with moderate immunodeficiencies.
In addition to B.C., Manitoba and Quebec are continuing to offer Paxlovid free of charge to anyone who meets their criteria.
In B.C., it’s adults who are moderately to severely immunocompromised, and/or 60 years old with a chronic high-risk condition.
In Manitoba, it is available to anyone who is prescribed Paxlovid by their health-care provider.
According to the Quebec Health Department website, anyone eligible for the drug “will be able to receive Paxlovid treatment free of charge at the pharmacy of their choice.”
The list price for a five-day course of Paxlovid is $1,288 according to a bulletin from the government of Nova Scotia notifying pharmacists of the change in coverage plans.