Ontarians Can Now Visit Local Pharmacies for Paxlovid Prescriptions

TORONTO — 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. All Ontarians are strongly encouraged to keep up to date with vaccinations, which remains the best way for people to stay healthy this flu and respiratory illness season and prevent unnecessary visits to the hospital.

Starting December 12, 2022, 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.

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. “This expansion of pharmacists’ scope of practice is just one more way our government is making it easier for Ontarians to access health care right in their own communities.”

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.

Quick Facts

Quotes

"Pharmacy professionals have played a critical role supporting patients and the health system throughout the pandemic. By enabling pharmacists to prescribe Paxlovid, we will improve access to treatment for Ontarians with the goal of reducing COVID-related hospitalizations."
- Justin Bates
CEO of the Ontario Pharmacists Association

"Pfizer congratulates the Province of Ontario on expanding the scope of practice for pharmacists to prescribe medicines for COVID-19, which will help patients have more timely access to treatments."
- Fabien Paquette
mRNA and Antiviral Portfolio Lead, Pfizer Canada

"Shoppers Drug Mart welcomes the expansion of the scope of practice for pharmacists to prescribe COVID-19 treatments like Paxlovid to patients. With over 800 locations across the province, we stand ready to support this initiative to make it easier for Ontarians to receive this treatment right in their local communities."
- Jeff Leger
President of Shoppers Drug Mart

"We are thrilled with the Government's announcement to expand Ontarians' timely access to effective COVID-19 antiviral therapy by enabling pharmacists to assess for and prescribe Paxlovid to eligible patients. This will both remove barriers to accessing care and support the overall healthcare system by preventing hospitalizations and reducing burden on other providers. The Neighbourhood Pharmacy Association of Canada has long advocated for pharmacy’s ability to safely and conveniently provide patients with access to this critical medication in their own communities. The COVID-19 pandemic has proven how pharmacies across Ontario can rapidly scale up these services, and we applaud the Ontario government’s investment in another vital tool in the public health toolbox to help Ontarians get back to a new normal."
- Sandra Hanna
CEO of the Neighbourhood Pharmacy Association of Canada

"Kohl & Frisch welcomes the decision by Premier Ford and Minister Jones to allow pharmacists to prescribe Paxlovid. This will allow patients across the province to more efficiently access the care they need by highly trained and qualified pharmacists."
- Ron Frisch
President and CEO of Kohl & Frisch

"Enabling pharmacists at our independent pharmacies, Guardian, I.D.A, Remedy'sRx and The Medicine Shoppe to evaluate Ontario patients and prescribe Paxlovid when appropriate increases access and reduces barriers to care and treatment for those who need it the most. McKesson Canada supports the Ontario government to get Ontarians COVID-19 treatment in a timely manner."
- Smita Patil
Vice-President, Retail Member Relations and Professional Affairs, McKesson Canada

"We welcome the announcement from Ontario Minister of Health Sylvia Jones today that pharmacists can start prescribing Paxlovid to treat vulnerable Ontarians with COVID-19 infection. Our Rexall pharmacists are enthusiastic to continue the important delivery of accessible health care to Ontarians during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic."
- Mona Sabharwal
Senior Vice President Pharmacy Services, Rexall

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