Updates: Clinical recommendations for COVID-19 antiviral therapy and changes to Paxlovid funding
Ontario Health has updated the clinical recommendations for antiviral therapy for adults with mild to moderate COVID-19
This new evidence-based guidance developed by Ontario Health’s Infectious Disease Advisory Committee (IDAC) considers recently circulating strains of SARS-CoV-2 as well as pre-existing immunity from prior infection and/or vaccination in Ontario. Please review the documents below for important updates regarding the following:
- Recommendations for when antiviral therapy is advised or may be considered
- Risk factors associated with severe COVID-19 outcomes
- COVID-19 severity classification
- Overview of real-world evidence for the antiviral therapies
The following documents are available on the Ontario Health COVID-19 Treatment webpage:
Funding for nirmatrelvir/ritonavir (Paxlovid) will transition to typical models in May 2024
Paxlovid has been supplied by the federal government since 2022, as a temporary measure, at no cost to patients who met established criteria in Ontario. This procurement has ended and the remaining supply of Paxlovid will expire May 31, 2024. The Ministry of Health has advised pharmacies that this supply should be dispensed only until May 26, 2024 (for the five-day treatment course).
Moving forward, funding options for Paxlovid will be changing to include selected government drug benefit programs, private insurance, or payment directly by the patient, consistent with typical funding models for other medications.
Read more about access and funding in the following:
See the Ontario Drug Benefit Formulary information on Paxlovid:
Please direct any questions to Niroo Sivapalan, Lead, Infectious Diseases (nirooya.sivapalan@ontariohealth.ca).
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