First doses of Paxlovid reach Canada, more coming in February and March

Pfizer's antiviral treatment for COVID-19, Paxlovid, has received Health Canada approval.

It’s a combination of two different drugs, to be taken together twice a day for five days.

Health Minister Jean-Yves Duclos says the first doses are already here with more to come in March.

He says the provinces and territories have been given preliminary information on deliveries, which will be done on a per capita basis.

Canadian doctors have been anxious to get their hands on the medication as the Omicron wave is spreading so quickly.

Canada bought one-million courses of the treatment for delivery this year.