People on dialysis, suffering from cancer, having undergone an organ transplant, or suffering from an immune disorder can also count on the drug Evusheld from AstraZeneca to protect themselves against COVID-19.
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Health Canada announced Thursday that it has authorized this treatment for the prevention of COVID-19 in immunocompromised adults and children.
“After a thorough and independent scientific review of the evidence, the Department has determined that Evusheld meets Health Canada’s rigorous requirements for safety, efficacy and quality,” Health Canada said in a statement.
Thus, the drug Evusheld (tixagevimab and cilgavimab) has been approved for use in adults and children (aged 12 years and older, weighing at least 40 kg) who are immunocompromised and unlikely to mount an adequate immune response to vaccination against COVID-19 and for whom the vaccine is not recommended.
They must also not be infected with COVID-19 and not have had known recent contact with a person infected with the virus.
“Patients should speak to their healthcare professional to determine if Evusheld is right for them. Evusheld is not currently authorized to treat COVID-19 infection, nor to prevent infection in people who have been exposed to the virus”, underlined Health Canada, which recalls that “no drug, including Evusheld, cannot replace vaccination” which remains “the best tool to prevent serious illnesses caused by COVID-19 infection”.
This approval by Health Canada follows the announcement by AstraZeneca last February of the signing of an agreement with the Government of Canada concerning the supply of Evusheld.
This is the second drug approved by Health Canada to prevent serious symptoms and complications from COVID-19. In mid-January, the antiviral drug Paxlovid produced by Pfizer was approved by the federal agency for its beneficial effects against the most serious symptoms related to the coronavirus. It is currently available in pharmacies upon presentation of a prescription from a doctor or a specialized nurse practitioner. Pharmacists can also prescribe it.