As promised by Ontario chief medical officer Dr. Kieran Moore earlier this week, Ontario residents can now access antiviral medical treatments for free, by prescription, to individuals with COVID-19 who might be at a higher risk of progressing to a more serious level of the disease.
The webpage also has a location finder, which is a spreadsheet application, listing hundreds of locations across the province.
In Sudbury, there are 15 locations listed, as follows:
- Elgin Street Pharmacy, 25 Elgin Street
- Herman's Ida,2 40 Regent Street
- Loblaw Pharmacy, 1485 Lasalle Boulevard
- Loblaw Pharmacy, 82 Lorne Street
- Rexall, 848 Lasalle Boulevard
- Rexall, 117b Cedar Street
- Rexall, 555 Barrydowne Road
- Rexall, 2009 Long Lake Road
- Rexall, 1975 Bancroft Drive
- Shaw's Pharmacy, 401 Frood Road
- Shoppers Drug Mart, 2015 Long Lake Road
- Shoppers Drug Mart, 101-1349 Lasalle Boulevard
- Shoppers Drug Mart, 86 Elm Street
- Shoppers Drug Mart, 1935 Paris Street
- Shoppers Drug Mart, 359 Riverside Drive, Suite 112
Acting on advice from Health Canada, the Office of the Chief Medical Officer of Health and the Science Advisory Table, antiviral treatments are now available for free by prescription. The two antiviral medications are Paxlovid and Remdesivir.
Paxlovid is described as an antiviral medication that can be taken by mouth at home and must be taken within five days of the start of symptoms.
Remdesivir is an antiviral medication that must be taken intravenously (IV) at a designated clinic. Remdesivir must be taken within seven days of the start of symptoms.
Public Health Ontario provides screening advice for those individuals who suspect they might need the treatment.
Public Health Ontario (PHO) said to be considered for treatment, you must have tested positive for COVID-19 (by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) or rapid antigen test), and a health care provider must assess you to determine if treatment is right for you, which includes whether or not you are at higher risk of developing severe symptoms.
PHO said you might be at higher risk if you are:
- Over 18 years old and immunocompromised (have an immune system that is weakened by a health condition or medications)
- Over 70 years old
- Over 60 years old with fewer than three vaccine doses
- This would also apply to individuals over 18 years old with fewer than three vaccine doses and at least one of the following risk conditions:
- Obesity
- Diabetes.
- Heart disease, hypertension, congestive heart failure.
- Chronic respiratory disease (including cystic fibrosis).
- Cerebral palsy.
- Intellectual or developmental disabilities.
- Sickle cell disease.
- Moderate or severe kidney disease.
- Moderate or severe liver disease.
- Pregnant and unvaccinated (zero doses).
PHO said a health care provider may determine treatment is right for you even if you do not belong to one of the groups above based on your individual circumstances. The province is working with health care providers to prioritize higher-risk individuals who are Indigenous, Black and members of other racialized communities for treatment, who may be at increased risk of severe disease due to increased barriers to health care and other social and health related factors.
