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Barriers to Paxlovid Access in Canada Highlight Growing Health Inequities


Healthcare

Barriers to Paxlovid Access in Canada Highlight Growing Health Inequities

Limited availability and affordability of Paxlovid exacerbate health disparities, leaving vulnerable populations at risk.

Access to Paxlovid, a critical antiviral treatment for mild to moderate COVID-19, has become increasingly difficult in Canada, raising concerns about worsening health inequities. Since the end of the federal program last April, provinces have narrowed eligibility criteria significantly, and many have shifted the cost burden onto patients. This has led to limited access for individuals who are most vulnerable to severe COVID-19 outcomes, including older adults and those with underlying health conditions. 

Paxlovid, which combines nirmatrelvir with ritonavir, has shown substantial effectiveness in reducing hospitalization and death from COVID-19, particularly among high-risk populations. Clinical trials have demonstrated an 89% reduction in hospitalization or death for at-risk individuals. However, studies targeting lower-risk populations have raised questions about the drug's benefits for those with fewer risk factors, leading some provinces to restrict access based on available data. 

The lack of inclusivity in clinical trials, particularly regarding high-risk individuals such as older adults, has been a point of contention. Despite the drug's proven benefits in reducing hospital visits and lengths of stay, provinces are still limiting access, leaving many in marginalized communities without the support they need. Studies indicate that communities with higher vulnerability, such as lower-income areas in both the U.S. and Australia, have seen significantly lower rates of Paxlovid distribution. 

As COVID-19 continues to disproportionately affect marginalized groups, including the elderly, immunocompromised, and those in underserved communities, experts argue that broader access to Paxlovid is essential. Without equitable access to treatments like Paxlovid, Canada risks deepening existing health disparities, especially with lower vaccination rates and a growing number of under-vaccinated individuals. 

Ensuring that those most at risk can access life-saving treatments is crucial in addressing health inequities and improving overall public health outcomes. 


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