Close X
Monday, November 25, 2024
ADVT 
National

Canada signs agreement with AZ on COVID treatment

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 23 Feb, 2022 03:23 PM
  • Canada signs agreement with AZ on COVID treatment

OTTAWA - The Canadian government has signed an agreement with pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca to procure 100,000 doses of a COVID-19 antibody therapy that's still under review by Health Canada.

A release from Public Services and Procurement Canada says the antibody therapy, called Evusheld, is a pre-exposure preventative for COVID-19.

Evusheld is under review by Health Canada for use in specific high-risk patient populations, such as people who are immunocompromised.

The U.S.-based Food and Drug Administration issued an emergency use authorization for the product in December.

The FDA says the drug is only authorized for people who are not currently infected with COVID-19 and who are either moderately to severely immunocompromised or have a history of severe adverse reactions to a COVID-19 vaccine.

The FDA says one dose of Evusheld, given as two separate intramuscular injections, "may be effective for pre-exposure prevention for six months."

Health Canada started the authorization process for Evusheld in November after receiving data from AstraZeneca. The agency says it reviews submissions through an independent process and authorizes products based on "scientific rigour and medical evidence."

Public Services and Procurement Canada says initial deliveries of Evusheld would be expected within a month of authorization.

The Public Health Agency of Canada would then coordinate distribution and delivery with provinces and territories.

Filomena Tassi, Canada's Minister of Public Services and Procurement, said in a release Wednesday that vaccines continue to be "the most important tool we have against severe outcomes from COVID-19."

"However, while vaccines provide excellent protection, people who are immunocompromised may need additional protection against COVID-19," she said.

"That is why our government continues to grow its suite of treatments and preventative therapies to protect the health of everyone who lives in Canada."

 

MORE National ARTICLES

IHIT investigating homicide of a 30 year old male in Abbotsford

IHIT investigating homicide of a 30 year old male in Abbotsford
Abbotsford Police Investigating a Homicide on Simon Ave. Victim is a 30-year-old male. Investigators are in the early stages. No information to suggest the public is at risk.

IHIT investigating homicide of a 30 year old male in Abbotsford

519 COVID19 cases for Tuesday

519 COVID19 cases for Tuesday
There are 787 individuals hospitalized with COVID-19 and 124 are in intensive care. In the past 24 hours, two new deaths (Northern Health) have been reported, for an overall total of 2,766.

519 COVID19 cases for Tuesday

Vancouver man gets life for 2017 murder: police

Vancouver man gets life for 2017 murder: police
Police say the 61-year-old Kunik died in February 2017 after being stabbed repeatedly while he was alone on the Stanley Park seawall. The department says Lagimodiere was arrested 11 months after the death.    

Vancouver man gets life for 2017 murder: police

Canada claims win over U.S. in solar panel dispute

Canada claims win over U.S. in solar panel dispute
A dispute resolution panel has agreed that tariffs on Canadian-made solar products imposed in 2018 by former president Donald Trump violated the terms of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement.

Canada claims win over U.S. in solar panel dispute

Convoy seeks new funds in face of Emergencies Act

Convoy seeks new funds in face of Emergencies Act
Pat King, an influential organizer, appeared in a video streamed live on Facebook Monday, hours after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced he was invoking the Emergencies Act in hopes of bringing an end to the protests.    

Convoy seeks new funds in face of Emergencies Act

Russia invasion threat to Ukraine imminent: Joly

Russia invasion threat to Ukraine imminent: Joly
- Canada's foreign affairs minister says the threat of a Russian invasion of Ukraine remains high as cyberattacks undermined earlier optimism Tuesday that the Kremlin might be drawing down its military forces.

Russia invasion threat to Ukraine imminent: Joly