A drug used to ease symptoms for those who test positive for COVID-19 is no longer available to all patients at no charge.
Paxlovid, an anti-viral pill, first became available in pharmacies across the province in 2022. The drug is meant to be taken within the first few days of one becoming symptomatic and ultimately prevents one from becoming severely ill.
Patients screened for the drug had been able to pick up their prescription at no charge due to federal funding, but that is no more.
Only those who meet specific criteria under the Newfoundland and Labrador Prescription Drug Program are eligible for coverage. Those who do not meet the criteria and do not have insurance will now have to cover the drug’s $1,450 price tag.