Skip to Main content

9.77°^C Vancouver

News Entertainment Videos Shows Podcast Contact Us

May 30, 2024 7:04 PM - The Canadian Press

B.C. government to pay for COVID-19 drug Paxlovid after feds drop coverage

Share On

b-c-government-to-pay-for-covid-19-drug-paxlovid-after-feds-drop-coverage

A statement from B.C.'s Health Ministry says the province will provide 100 per cent coverage for the treatment sold under the brand name Paxlovid, for B.C. residents with an active medical services plan.(Photo: The Canadian Press)

British Columbia will cover the cost of an antiviral drug aimed at treating mild to moderate cases of COVID-19 as the federal government ends its coverage.

A statement from B.C.'s Health Ministry says the province will provide 100 per cent coverage for the treatment sold under the brand name Paxlovid, for B.C. residents with an active medical services plan.

A provincial government web page says the change took effect on Tuesday, after the federal government stopped supplying Paxlovid in March, and pharmacies are to obtain Paxlovid supplies from their wholesaler.

The Health Ministry says the drug is recommended for people at higher risk of serious illness and hospitalization due to COVID-19, such as those who are immunocompromised.

It says treatment with Paxlovid must begin within five days of the start of symptoms to be effective and can help prevent symptoms getting worse.

The ministry adds that a spring booster vaccine for COVID-19 has been available for B.C. residents since early April.

Latest news

Witness intervenes in Vancouver purse-snatching, suspect charged

A 41-year-old man has been charged after an alleged purse-snatching in Vancouver that left a 59-year-old woman with minor injuries, according to a police release. The incident occurred Wednesday shortly before 4 p.m. near West 8th Avenue and Spruce Street. Police say the woman, who was using a walker, was approached by a man who allegedly grabbed her purse, causing her to fall to the ground. A passing driver witnessed the incident, stopped, and pursued the suspect on foot. During the chase, the suspect allegedly threatened the witness with a knife before dropping the purse and fleeing the area

Two men charged after alleged kidnapping in East Vancouver home invasion

Two men are facing kidnapping charges following a reported home invasion in East Vancouver বুধবার night, according to the Vancouver Police Department. Police say a 911 call was received at approximately 9:15 p.m. reporting that a 62-year-old man had been taken from his home and forced into a vehicle. According to a VPD statement, the suspect vehicle was located about 30 minutes later near Slocan Street and East Broadway. Officers attempted to stop the vehicle, but it did not pull over, prompting a police pursuit that ended near East 14th Avenue and Woodland Drive, where officers bo

driver-identified-after-truck-strikes-highway-1-overpass-in-langley-police-seek-witnesses

Driver identified after truck strikes Highway 1 overpass in Langley; police seek witnesses

The driver of a commercial truck that struck a railway overpass on Highway 1 in Langley has come forward and is cooperating with investigators, according to BC Highway Patrol. Police say the collision occurred March 19 at about 2:52 p.m., when an eastbound white flatdeck truck carrying a crane boom hit the CP Rail overpass between Glover Road and 232 Street. The driver initially left the scene without speaking to officers but later contacted police. “The truck driver did not wait for police at the scene, which is the ideal, but subsequently reached out to police and is cooperating,” said C

richmond-rcmp-probe-suspected-organized-retail-meat-thefts-after-39-reported-cases

Richmond RCMP probe suspected organized retail meat thefts after 39 reported cases

Police in Richmond, British Columbia, say they are investigating a series of meat thefts from retail stores that may be linked to organized criminal activity. According to a statement from the Richmond RCMP, officers have received 39 reports of meat being stolen from stores across the city since December. While some incidents may be opportunistic, police say the frequency and value of the thefts suggest “potential organized activity,” where stolen products could be resold. RCMP are warning the public not to purchase meat from unverified sources. Police say improperly handled or temperature

surrey-police-investigate-early-morning-shooting-near-bear-creek-park

Surrey police investigate early morning shooting near Bear Creek Park

Surrey Police Service says officers are investigating a reported shooting near Bear Creek Park that left one man in hospital with a non-life-threatening injury. According to a Surrey Police Service news release, officers were called at about 6:00 a.m. to reports of shots fired in the area of the 13700 block of 88 Avenue. Police searched the park and nearby residential streets following the call. Police said hospital staff contacted officers at 6:30 a.m. to report that a man had arrived at emergency with a gunshot wound. The injury is not believed to be life-threatening, according to the releas

Related News

Witness intervenes in Vancouver purse-snatching, suspect charged

Witness intervenes in Vancouver purse-snatching, suspect charged

A 41-year-old man has been charged after an alleged purse-snatching in Vancouver that left a 59-year-old woman with minor injuries, according to a police release. The incident occurred Wednesday shortly before 4 p.m. near West 8th Avenue and Spruce Street. Police say the woman, who was using a walker, was approached by a man who allegedly grabbed her purse, causing her to fall to the ground. A passing driver witnessed the incident, stopped, and pursued the suspect on foot. During the chase, the suspect allegedly threatened the witness with a knife before dropping the purse and fleeing the area

Two men charged after alleged kidnapping in East Vancouver home invasion

Two men charged after alleged kidnapping in East Vancouver home invasion

Two men are facing kidnapping charges following a reported home invasion in East Vancouver বুধবার night, according to the Vancouver Police Department. Police say a 911 call was received at approximately 9:15 p.m. reporting that a 62-year-old man had been taken from his home and forced into a vehicle. According to a VPD statement, the suspect vehicle was located about 30 minutes later near Slocan Street and East Broadway. Officers attempted to stop the vehicle, but it did not pull over, prompting a police pursuit that ended near East 14th Avenue and Woodland Drive, where officers bo

Driver identified after truck strikes Highway 1 overpass in Langley; police seek witnesses

Driver identified after truck strikes Highway 1 overpass in Langley; police seek witnesses

The driver of a commercial truck that struck a railway overpass on Highway 1 in Langley has come forward and is cooperating with investigators, according to BC Highway Patrol. Police say the collision occurred March 19 at about 2:52 p.m., when an eastbound white flatdeck truck carrying a crane boom hit the CP Rail overpass between Glover Road and 232 Street. The driver initially left the scene without speaking to officers but later contacted police. “The truck driver did not wait for police at the scene, which is the ideal, but subsequently reached out to police and is cooperating,” said C

Legals

Journalism code of ethics

© 2021 AKASH Broadcasting Inc.

MANAGED BY STRATWIT

useful links

Accessibility Plan

BC Children's Hospital