Health Canada has given Pfizer approval for the first oral treatment for COVID-19.

Chief medical health advisor with Health Canada Dr. Supryia Sharma says, “This is the first oral COVID-19 therapy which can be taken by patients at home which is an important distinction. The treatment consists of two tablets of nirmatrelvir and one tablet of ritonavir taken together twice per day for five days.”

The active ingredient nirmatrelvir in PAXLOVIDTM works by stopping the virus from replicating.

Health Canada says it is intended to treat adults with mild to moderate COVID-19 who are at high risk of progressing to serious disease, including hospitalization or death.

The treatment is for patients after being diagnosed with the virus, and within 5 days of the start of symptoms.

At the same time, health officials say the new drug is not a substitute for vaccination, and urges Canadians to continue to strive for being fully vaccinated.

One million doses of the treatment has been ordered ,and the federal government is working on a delivery schedule.

(With files from CJGX)