Skip to Main content

14.84°^C Vancouver

News Entertainment Sports Videos 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

CanadaNov 10, 2026

Call to Ease Mortgage Rules for First-Time Homebuyers

Canada’s major banks and real estate developers are urging the federal government to ease mortgage rules and introduce down payment assistance programs for young, first-time homebuyers purchasing newly built homes. The group includes major financial institutions such as the Royal Bank of Canada (RBC), BMO, TD, CIBC and Scotiabank, along with 10 major homebuilders, including Minto and Brookfield. They are recommending that the government make the mortgage stress test less restrictive and lower down payment requirements for young first-time buyers. The group says the ongoing slowdown in Canada

AlbertaNov 10, 2026

Calgary Proposes 15% Property Tax Hike for 2027, Homeowners to Pay Extra $37 Monthly

Calgary City Council has proposed a 15 per cent property tax increase for 2027, which is expected to cost the average homeowner approximately $37 more per month. Under the newly released four-year budget proposal, property taxes are also projected to increase by 10 per cent in 2028, 7.7 per cent in 2029 and six per cent in 2030. However, the proposed budget figures are not final. City Council is expected to hold final debates and vote on the proposal later this month. The proposal also includes a 3.8 per cent increase in Calgary Transit fares. Meanwhile, the city's debt is projected to rise fr

four-grizzly-bears-confirmed-in-fatal-attack-that-killed-mother-and-daughter-near-bella-coola

Four Grizzly Bears Confirmed In Fatal Attack That Killed Mother And Daughter Near Bella Coola

Conservation officials in British Columbia have confirmed that four grizzly bears were involved in the fatal attack that killed a mother and her daughter near Bella Coola earlier this month. Officials said forensic and DNA testing confirmed that the four grizzly bears captured over the past several days were directly involved in the deadly incident. The bears included a female grizzly and her three cubs. All four bears have been euthanized to ensure public safety, the B.C. Conservation Officer Service said. The victims were identified as 48-year-old Jennifer Balcarras and her 20-year-old daugh

B.C. Records 133 Suspected Drug Toxicity Deaths in September, 2026 Total Reaches 1,143

British Columbia recorded 133 suspected deaths linked to illicit drug toxicity in September, meaning nearly four people died every day across the province. The latest figures bring the total number of suspected drug-related deaths in 2026 so far to 1,143. According to a report from the BC Coroners Service, 76 per cent of those who died were men, while 70 per cent were between the ages of 30 and 59. By health authority, Fraser Health recorded the highest number of deaths this year at 311, followed by Vancouver Coastal Health with 298. Together, the two regions accounted for 53 per cent of all s

waris-punjab-de-seeks-amit-shahs-intervention-to-allow-amritpal-singh-to-attend-grandmothers-funeral

IndiaNov 10, 2026

Waris Punjab De Seeks Amit Shah’s Intervention to Allow Amritpal Singh to Attend Grandmother’s Funeral

Waris Punjab De has sought the intervention of Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann to facilitate the participation of Khadoor Sahib MP Amritpal Singh in the last rites of his grandmother, Charan Kaur. In a letter addressed to Amit Shah, the party urged him to coordinate with the governments of Punjab and Assam, along with the concerned authorities, to ensure that the necessary legal and administrative steps are taken without delay to allow Amritpal Singh to attend the funeral. The party has also written a similar letter to Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann,

Related News

Four Grizzly Bears Confirmed In Fatal Attack That Killed Mother And Daughter Near Bella Coola

Four Grizzly Bears Confirmed In Fatal Attack That Killed Mother And Daughter Near Bella Coola

Conservation officials in British Columbia have confirmed that four grizzly bears were involved in the fatal attack that killed a mother and her daughter near Bella Coola earlier this month. Officials said forensic and DNA testing confirmed that the four grizzly bears captured over the past several days were directly involved in the deadly incident. The bears included a female grizzly and her three cubs. All four bears have been euthanized to ensure public safety, the B.C. Conservation Officer Service said. The victims were identified as 48-year-old Jennifer Balcarras and her 20-year-old daugh

B.C. Records 133 Suspected Drug Toxicity Deaths in September, 2026 Total Reaches 1,143

B.C. Records 133 Suspected Drug Toxicity Deaths in September, 2026 Total Reaches 1,143

British Columbia recorded 133 suspected deaths linked to illicit drug toxicity in September, meaning nearly four people died every day across the province. The latest figures bring the total number of suspected drug-related deaths in 2026 so far to 1,143. According to a report from the BC Coroners Service, 76 per cent of those who died were men, while 70 per cent were between the ages of 30 and 59. By health authority, Fraser Health recorded the highest number of deaths this year at 311, followed by Vancouver Coastal Health with 298. Together, the two regions accounted for 53 per cent of all s

20-Year-Old Woman Charged in Fatal Maple Ridge Motorcycle Crash

20-Year-Old Woman Charged in Fatal Maple Ridge Motorcycle Crash

A 20-year-old woman has been charged in connection with a fatal motorcycle crash in Maple Ridge that claimed the life of a motorcyclist nearly a year ago. According to police, the crash occurred on the morning of December 13, 2025, at the intersection of Lougheed Highway and 224 Street. A white Mercedes-Benz driven by the woman collided with a motorcycle while making a left turn. Following a lengthy investigation, Maple Ridge RCMP have charged local resident Cassidy Neufeld with dangerous driving causing death and careless driving. Police confirmed that Neufeld is scheduled to appear in court

Legals

Journalism code of ethics

© 2021 AKASH Broadcasting Inc.

MANAGED BY STRATWIT

useful links

Accessibility Plan

Broadcasting Notice of Consultation

BC Children's Hospital