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By Connor Gunn

Alberta Premier calling on Federal Government to allow use of antiviral pill

Jan 4, 2022 | 4:14 PM

EDMONTON, AB – Premier of Alberta, Jason Kenney is asking the Government of Canada to approve the use of Paxlovid, an antiviral pill made from Pfizer to combat COVID-19.

In a press conference Tuesday, Kenney says as COVID cases are continuing to rise in Alberta, the pill could help the province with the latest wave of the virus.

Kenney says Paxlovid “was recently approved for emergency use both Europe, the United States, and other jurisdictions.”

“This drug can be used for the treatment of mild to moderate COVID-19 in anyone that’s 12 years of age and over who’s at a high risk of serious situations like hospitalization,” Kenney adds.

Last week, Israel received its first shipment of pills that treat the worst effects of COVID-19.

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It’s among some of the first countries to receive Pfizer’s Paxlovid, a pill that can be taken at home to ward off the most severe symptoms of the coronavirus. All the previously authorized drugs require an IV or injection.

Prime Minister Naftali Bennett said the shipment would help Israel to “successfully overcome the peak of the approaching omicron wave.”

Kenney hopes the Federal Government approves the drug as “it could help to save lives.”