Skip to Main content

22.16°^C Vancouver

News Entertainment Sports Videos Shows Podcast Contact Us

Jan 13, 2022 11:13 PM - The Canadian Press

Health Canada 7 to 10 days from decision on Pfizer antiviral drug

Share On

health-canada-7-to-10-days-from-decision-on-pfizer-antiviral-drug

Health Canada's chief medical adviser says a decision on Pfizer's antiviral treatment for COVID-19 is expected in seven to 10 days. (Photo - The Canadian Press)

Health Canada's chief medical adviser says a decision on Pfizer's antiviral treatment for COVID-19 is expected in seven to 10 days.

But Supriya Sharma says the department reached out to Pfizer asking for shipments of the drug before approval, using regulations that allow medications approved elsewhere to be used in Canada when there is an urgent health need.

Sharma says the company said no because it didn't have any supply to send.

Canada has a contract to buy one million doses of Paxlovid but Pfizer spokeswoman Christina Antoniou says information on shipments to Canada won't be provided until Health Canada approves the drug.

The United States and the United Kingdom approved the antiviral in December and several Canadian doctors want Canada to immediately give the drug the go ahead here as the surging Omicron variant strains hospitals yet again.

Sharma says Pfizer's initial submission to Canada for approval on Dec. 1 was incomplete and more data was still coming in within the last week but she expects a decision will be made as early as next week.

Latest news

at-least-930-dead-as-congos-ebola-outbreak-continues-to-grow

WorldJul 20, 2026

At least 930 dead as Congo's Ebola outbreak continues to grow

At least 930 people have died in the Democratic Republic of the Congo's Ebola outbreak, according to the country's Ministry of Health. The ministry said 2,344 Ebola cases had been confirmed as of Saturday. In an overnight update into Monday, officials reported 37 additional deaths in the previous 24 hours, marking one of the highest single-day death totals recorded during the outbreak. According to the Ministry of Health, the outbreak was declared in eastern Congo on May 15 and has become the fastest-growing Ebola outbreak on record. Health officials said the outbreak is caused by the Bundibug

multiple-arrests-made-as-rcmp-execute-coordinated-raids-in-maple-ridge

Multiple arrests made as RCMP execute coordinated raids in Maple Ridge

Multiple people were arrested after the Maple Ridge RCMP carried out coordinated search warrants at several properties across the city on Saturday as part of an ongoing covert investigation. According to the Maple Ridge RCMP, the operation involved armed police officers, a helicopter and police service dogs. Simultaneous searches were conducted at multiple properties in the Port Haney Wharf and Silver Valley areas. Police have not disclosed the number of arrests or identified those taken into custody. Reports indicate the operation began at approximately 4:30 p.m. and continued for about four

lightning-sparks-surge-in-b-c-wildfires-as-more-than-100-fires-burn-across-province

Lightning sparks surge in B.C. wildfires as more than 100 fires burn across province

British Columbia is experiencing a sharp increase in wildfire activity following widespread lightning strikes across the province. According to the B.C. Wildfire Service, the number of active wildfires climbed from about 20 on Wednesday morning to more than 100 by the weekend. As of Monday, 102 wildfires were burning across the province, including 12 that were discovered within the previous 24 hours. The agency said approximately 40 per cent of the active wildfires are classified as out of control. Most of the fires are located in B.C.'s Southern Interior region, where firefighting efforts con

AlbertaJul 20, 2026

More than 100 volunteers, Calgary police continue search for missing autistic 11-year-old boy

More than 100 trained volunteers joined Calgary police on Sunday as the search continued for Parker, an 11-year-old autistic boy who is non-verbal and has been missing since Thursday afternoon. According to the Calgary Police Service, approximately 120 trained volunteers are assisting officers, including police dog teams and bike patrols, in search efforts across areas connected to Parker's last known movements and reported sightings. Police are also playing his favourite Disney songs from patrol vehicles in the hope the familiar music may encourage him to respond. Parker was last seen Thursda

AlbertaJul 20, 2026

Clearwater County crews clean up after tornado damages homes and blocks roads

A tornado that touched down in central Alberta on Saturday damaged homes, knocked down trees and blocked roads in parts of Clearwater County, including the Town of Rocky Mountain House. No injuries have been reported. According to Clearwater County, the tornado touched down at about 6:30 p.m. Saturday and caused significant damage in several areas. County officials said cleanup crews are working to remove debris and reopen affected roads following the storm. Environment and Climate Change Canada has said Alberta's unusually wet and stormy summer has created favourable conditions for tornado de

Related News

Wildfire destroys seasonal camp at Whitewater Lake First Nation in northwestern Ontario

Wildfire destroys seasonal camp at Whitewater Lake First Nation in northwestern Ontario

A wildfire has destroyed much of the seasonal camp at Whitewater Lake First Nation, located about 250 kilometres north of Thunder Bay, marking the second First Nation community in Ontario to suffer significant wildfire damage in less than a week. According to Chief Pauline Drake, the fire destroyed multiple buildings, personal belongings and critical infrastructure at the site. Whitewater Lake First Nation is used primarily as a seasonal camp and has no permanent residents. The community is accessible only by floatplane for about six months of the year. The latest damage follows wildfire destr

Canada’s annual inflation rate eases to 2.8% in June as gasoline prices fall

Canada’s annual inflation rate eases to 2.8% in June as gasoline prices fall

Canada’s annual inflation rate slowed to 2.8 per cent in June, down from 3.2 per cent in May, largely because of lower gasoline prices, according to Statistics Canada. The federal agency said a decline in fuel prices helped ease overall inflation pressures. Grocery prices also continued to rise, but at a slower pace, increasing 3.9 per cent year over year in June compared with 4.3 per cent in May. Despite the slowdown, grocery inflation remained above the overall inflation rate for a 17th consecutive month, highlighting the continued impact of higher food costs on Canadian households. The Ba

Brampton man identified as homicide victim after body found in Stoney Creek

Brampton man identified as homicide victim after body found in Stoney Creek

Hamilton Police have identified a man whose body was found in a Stoney Creek creek on Wednesday morning as 29-year-old Taranpreet Singh Sidhu of Brampton. Investigators have confirmed the case is being treated as a homicide. According to Hamilton Police, Sidhu's body was discovered in a creek near Fruitland Road North and Harbour Drive after a passerby spotted him partially submerged in the water on nearby rocks. Emergency responders attended the scene and confirmed he had died. Detective Sergeant Robert Delaney said Sidhu came to Canada from India in 2022 and had worked as a truck driver whil

Legals

Journalism code of ethics

© 2021 AKASH Broadcasting Inc.

MANAGED BY STRATWIT

useful links

Accessibility Plan

Broadcasting Notice of Consultation

BC Children's Hospital