U.S. pharmacists can now prescribe COVID pills. Canada should follow suit, experts say
Global News
The Canadian Pharmacists Association says 'pharmacists in every jurisdiction' should be allowed to prescribe Paxlovid for COVID-19 following U.S. FDA's authorization on Wednesday.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on Wednesday gave state-licensed pharmacists the green light to prescribe Pfizer’s COVID-19 pill — also known as Paxlovid — to eligible patients. In Canada, only some provinces allow this but the Canadian Pharmacists Association says that “pharmacists in every jurisdiction” should have the authority to recommend the antiviral treatment to those that need it.
“Pharmacists in every jurisdiction should be enabled to provide the necessary COVID-19 testing, prescribing and dispensing of Paxlovid for high-risk patients,” Danielle Paes, chief pharmacist officer at the Canadian Pharmacists Association told Global News Thursday.
“Authorizing pharmacists to prescribe can improve access to equitable care and encourage faster initiation of (COVID) treatment by streamlining the whole process within pharmacy – screening, assessing, prescribing, dispensing,” she added.
According to the FDA, the use of the pill, authorized to treat newly infected at-risk people to prevent severe illness, has jumped in recent weeks in the United States and the same thing is being reported in Canada, according to the Canadian Pharmacists Association.
Currently, only pharmacists in Quebec, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Newfoundland and Labrador have been authorized by the provincial health authorities to prescribe the antiviral treatment.
“You may be interested to know that pharmacist prescribing has increased uptake,” Tyler Gogo, a spokesperson for the pharmacists association, told Global News in an email Thursday.
“For instance, during the period following the authority being granted to pharmacists in Quebec, more than 68 per cent of Paxlovid treatments were prescribed by pharmacists,” said Gogo.
According to Health Canada, the antiviral Paxlovid can be given to adults 18 and older who test positive for COVID-19, experiencing mild to moderate illness and are at high risk of becoming seriously ill.
"Through this historic agreement, BC residents will receive public coverage for a range of contraceptives and diabetes medications at little to no cost."
Tiny lab mice just got a mammoth-sized upgrade — genetic tweaks have given them thick, woolly fur, bringing science one step closer to reviving traits of extinct species.
Ottawa says it's moving ahead with a plan to label so-called forever chemicals as toxic and expects to begin consultations in two years on further regulating their us.
Oscar Sort has tackled waste diversion by improving recycling rates and reducing operational costs at over 30 universities in North America.
The Alberta Energy Regulator is expected to make a decision on a proposal to explore for coal in the eastern slopes of the Rocky Mountains by early June.
Toronto Raptors guard-forward Gradey Dick will be out for at least two weeks with bone bruises, the team announced Tuesday.
As measles cases continue to rise in Texas amid an ongoing outbreak, health officials are warning against so-called "measles parties," calling the practice dangerous.
As measles cases continue to rise in Texas amid an ongoing outbreak, health officials are warning against so-called "measles parties," calling the practice dangerous.
As measles cases continue to rise in Texas amid an ongoing outbreak, health officials are warning against so-called "measles parties," calling the practice dangerous.
Earthquakes Canada said the 4.1 magnitude quake on Monday morning was centred around 17 kilometres from Friday Harbour in Washington State.
Hot, dry weather and lack of snow has prompted the city of Lethbridge to issue a fire ban for the Old Man River valley.
After hundreds of Canadians fell ill at a Mexican resort, experts warn that contaminated food and water can lead to serious illnesses.