Pfizer’s new COVID-19 drug is in Nova Scotia. How will it be used? – Halifax | The Canadian News

Nova Scotia now has 900 treatments of Pfizer’s Paxlovid drug on hand. The oral pill is used to treat those with mild COVID-19 symptoms to prevent worse illnesses and hospitalization.

“This is what is called a protease inhibitor, so it is a drug that inhibits the way the virus makes copies of itself,” said Dr. Lisa Barrett, a specialist in infectious diseases at Dalhousie University, said.

“It works really hard in the early stages of infection to reduce the virus levels and prevent them from getting higher, which later causes diseases.”

But dr. Barrett warns people not to consider this drug a “game changer”. Not only is the supply limited, but there are also restrictions on who is best suited for the drug.

The initial study found that it is best suited for those who have underlying medical conditions, are immunosuppressed or are under- or unvaccinated.

The drug itself is also something that interacts with many other common drugs, from blood thinners to naturopathic medications. Dr Barrett says while individuals on certain drugs may still be able to take Paxlovid, it will require a plan.

“It takes some time on behalf of the prescriber and the pharmacists to make sure it goes well,” Barrett said.

While Nova Scotia has stock, no pills have been prescribed yet. The process of determining who will be prioritized is currently underway.

Health Canada recommends that provinces consider three things when figuring out how to distribute their initial stock:

• Prioritizing individuals who are at greatest risk for serious illness and hospitalization.
• Consider making greater supply available for use in rural and remote communities.
• Infection should be confirmed and treatment should be started within 5 days after symptom onset.

For the first group of pills in Nova Scotia, those who can prescribe the medication will be restricted. Nova Scotians should not go to their doctor or pharmacist and expect to get a prescription.

Trending Stories

• 

  Canada advises families of diplomats from Ukraine as fears of Russian threat increase

• 

  The majority of truck drivers are being vaccinated, Trudeau says, while ‘freedom convoy’ is on its way to Ottawa.

“The province is working on a way to bring together the laboratory information, the self-reporting information, details of emergency physicians and other specialists across the province to refer people,” Barrett said.

“The aim is not to restrict and keep the drug in a warehouse. It is to use it when needed. ”

Nova Scotians who are considered the most vulnerable and at the highest risk will be contacted after testing positive if they qualify and are selected to take the pill. Barrett says the most important thing Nova Scotians can do at risk is take a COVID test as soon as symptoms develop, and fill out the online form if it’s a quick home test, as the medication must be started within five days.

Unvaccinated is top priority group

For the most part, the unvaccinated or under-vaccinated population is at greatest risk of ending up in hospital and the initial study for the drug was on unvaccinated individuals. This is why the majority of people who receive the medication will not be vaccinated.

“One of the things we need to do is protect our health care system at a time when cases are still very high and we have no space in the hospital,” Barrett said.

“A key core objective at population level for us is to make sure they do not go to hospital, and if they are unvaccinated people for whatever reason, if giving this medication keeps them out of the hospital and allows someone to ‘ another medical problem such as a heart attack or a stroke to get care because the bed is not filled, it also has other benefits. ”

Although the drug was found to have an 84 percent decrease in the number of people who ended up in the hospital, it should not be considered as an alternative to being vaccinated.

“The pill is not going to change things for most of the world. Nothing will. “It will increase your risk of becoming infected and your risk of death and hospitalization, regardless of this pill,” Barrett said.

“The pill is the backup for the backup after the backup.”

View link »