Close X
Monday, November 11, 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

Coquitlam stabbing victim identified as 32 year old female Ramina Shah

Coquitlam stabbing victim identified as 32 year old female Ramina Shah
The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) was called in to investigate. The female victim has been identified as 32-year-old Ramina Shah from Maple Ridge. Her name and photo are being released in an effort to identify witnesses who may have seen her around the time of the incident.

Coquitlam stabbing victim identified as 32 year old female Ramina Shah

B.C. shootings believed to be murder-suicide

B.C. shootings believed to be murder-suicide
Homicide investigators say they believe the targeted shooting that left four people dead in a Richmond, B.C., home was a murder-suicide. The victims were all members of the same family and include a 71-year-old father, a 58-year-old mother, their 23-year-old son and a daughter, aged 21.

B.C. shootings believed to be murder-suicide

Concerns about retirement money, B.C. trial hears

Concerns about retirement money, B.C. trial hears
Kate Ryan-Lloyd, who was Craig James's deputy at the time of the 2012 payment, told a B.C. Supreme Court trial that she gave back the $118,000 benefit after James failed to provide her with a good explanation to justifying the payment.

Concerns about retirement money, B.C. trial hears

B.C. could lift restrictions starting Feb. 21

B.C. could lift restrictions starting Feb. 21
Dr. Bonnie Henry says that's possible in part because 90 per cent of residents aged 12 and over have received two doses of vaccine, though more people need to get a booster shot for longer-lasting protection.

B.C. could lift restrictions starting Feb. 21

Trudeau concerned about potential for violence

Trudeau concerned about potential for violence
In an interview with The Canadian Press, Trudeau says the "freedom convoy" is no longer a protest against the federal vaccine mandate for cross-border truckers and has morphed into a forum for a small minority of "very angry" people opposed to all public health measures to curb the spread of COVID-19, some of whom espouse violence.

Trudeau concerned about potential for violence

CN Rail drops contempt case against LNG protesters

CN Rail drops contempt case against LNG protesters
The BC Prosecution Service announced in April it was not in the public interest to pursue criminal contempt charges against protesters, but a B.C. Supreme Court ruling last month found CN could continue its own legal action.

CN Rail drops contempt case against LNG protesters