Alberta awaiting further ‘guidance’ on Health Canada-approved COVID-19 treatment
Global News
Evusheld is currently only available in Alberta for the prevention of COVID-19 but was also recently approved as a treatment.
Health Canada approved on Oct. 19 AstraZeneca’s antibody combination Evusheld injection — which was already approved as a COVID-19 prevention tool — as a treatment for the virus.
A spokesperson for Alberta Health Services told Global News on Tuesday that the province is “awaiting the treatment guidance from Canada’s Drug and Health Technology Agency, which is expected to be available before the end of the month, prior to making any decisions on the treatment use of COVID-19 with Evusheld.”
AHS spokesperson Kerry Williamson said Evusheld is currently available in Alberta for the prevention of COVID-19. In terms of treatment options, he said Albertans currently have access to Paxlovid and remdesivir, “which are used for the same indication that Evusheld has just been approved for.”
To date, Alberta has administered about 1,581 Evusheld doses and has “a healthy supply remaining,” Williamson said.
AstraZeneca Canada said Evusheld, a long-acting antibody combination, has received a Notice of Compliance from Health Canada to treat mild to moderate COVID-19 for those aged 12 or older.
Evusheld was approved in April for the prevention of COVID-19 in immunocompromised people, such as organ and stem cell transplant recipients and chemotherapy patients. The injection drug prevents infection by providing antibodies that a vulnerable person may not be able to make on their own through vaccination.
Alberta Health Services has been offering the drug — in its preventative form — since May through mobile units. AHS subcontracted ACESO Medical to drive special vans to patients across Alberta.
Public health physician Dr. Jia Hu says the more options for both the prevention and treatment of COVID-19, the better.
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