With expanded access to COVID-19 antivirals, Ontario has released a list of pharmacies dispensing the treatment.
Earlier this week, the province opened up access to antiviral treatment such as Paxlovid to additional higher-risk groups. The criteria have also been loosened for who can get the gold-standard PCR test that provides lab-confirmed results included in Ontario data.
Four Timmins pharmacies — Loblaws, both Shoppers Drug Marts on Algonquin, and Rexall — are dispensing the antiviral treatment.
There is also access in other communities, including:
Matheson
- Willis Pharmacy, 414 Fifth Ave.
Kapuskasing
- Loblaws, 55 Brunetville Rd.
- Rexall, 142 Progress Cres.
- Shoppers Drug Mart, 25 Brunetville Rd.
Hearst
- Pharmacie Novena, 1509 Hwy. 11 W.
For antiviral treatment, a positive rapid antigen test, PCR or rapid molecular test is needed. Treatment must be started five to seven days from the start of symptoms.
The groups that access was expanded to this week are:
- Immunocompromised people 18 years and over
- People who are 70 years and older
- People 60 and over with fewer than three vaccine doses
- People 18 years and over with fewer than three vaccine doses and at least one risk condition such as a chronic medical condition
More information on antivirals and how to access them is available here.
