The Ontario government is giving people more convenient access to care by allowing pharmacists to prescribe Paxlovid, an antiviral treatment option used to reduce severe outcomes from COVID-19.
Starting Monday, Dec. 12, pharmacists will be able to prescribe Paxlovid to eligible individuals in-person or virtually (such as by telephone) at no cost. Eligible individuals should contact their local pharmacy to confirm if they prescribe Paxlovid and how to get a prescription for Paxlovid.
Paxlovid is being provided free of cost to all eligible Ontarians, no need for insurance here. Further, our supply comes from the federal government who bought the drug on behalf of all provinces.
Eligibility for Paxlovid includes:
- Symptoms that are consistent with COVID-19;
- A positive lab-based PCR, rapid molecular, or rapid antigen test (including rapid tests done at home);
- The prescribing occurs within five days of symptom onset;
- The individual receiving the prescription is:
- 60 years of age or older
- 18 years of age or older and is immunocompromised
- 18 to 59 years old and at a higher risk of severe COVID-19 outcomes including having chronic medical conditions (such as diabetes, heart or lung disease) or inadequate immunity against COVID-19 (i.e., not up-to-date on vaccines).
“In addition to getting your COVID-19 booster and flu shot, Ontarians are now able to also talk to their local pharmacist about a prescription for Paxlovid,” said Sylvia Jones, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health.
Paxlovid prescriptions also remain available through any physician or nurse practitioner in Ontario as well as clinical assessment centres across the province.
Individuals with complex health conditions may need to see their primary care provider or go to a clinical assessment centre for Paxlovid, based on the clinical judgement of the pharmacist.
“Authorizing pharmacists to prescribe Paxlovid will expand access and offer increased protection to the most vulnerable and mitigate pressures on the province’s hospital capacity,” said Dr. Kieran Moore, Chief Medical Officer of Health. “I continue to strongly recommend that everyone across the province stays up to date on their vaccinations as it is the most effective way we can protect ourselves and our loved ones from the most serious effects of COVID-19.”
With COVID-19 vaccines and free flu shots available to everyone six months and older and bivalent booster doses also available to those 12 and over, Ontarians are strongly encouraged to get both their flu and COVID-19 shots as soon as possible this respiratory illness season to help restore protection that may have decreased since their last dose.
Individuals who are part of higher risk groups and who have COVID-19 symptoms should immediately seek testing and care by contacting their health care provider, visiting a clinical assessment centre, calling Health Connect Ontario at 811 or 1-866-797-0007 (toll-free TTY), or contacting a local pharmacist.
Individuals can access Ontario’s antiviral screener tool to help determine if they are at higher risk and should be assessed for treatment.
A positive rapid antigen test, PCR or rapid molecular test is required as part of the assessment for antiviral treatment. Rapid antigen tests will remain available for pick up at no charge until June 30, 2023, from over 3,000 retail locations in the province. PCR tests are available at any provincial testing location to eligible groups.
Clinical assessment centres continue to be available to assess patients with cough, cold, flu and COVID-19 symptoms as well as to test, prescribe and dispense antivirals for COVID-19.
source: media release, Government of Ontario
