Authorized B.C. physicians are encouraged to prescribe COVID-19 therapy Nirmatrelvir/ritonavir 300/100mg (Paxlovid) to eligible patients with mild-moderate disease at higher risk of developing severe COVID-19 disease. 

Medication must be given within five days of symptom onset to patients who test positive and who meet the eligibility criteria 

High-risk patients who are ineligible for this medication may be referred for remdesivir treatment, although not all who qualify for Nirmatrelvir/ritonavir qualify for other therapies. Both therapeutics significantly reduce the risk of serious illness and hopsitalization, particularly in patients who are clinically extremely vulnerable. 

A range of provincial resources are available to support you in safely prescribing this medication, which also outline other therapeutic options if a patient is not eligible. Guidance documents include:

• Step-by-step assessment explains eligibility criteria and enables you to assess and manage patients who may be eligible for treatment;
• Drug-drug interactions and contraindications outlines drug-drug interactions and contraindications for the first line COVID-19 therapy, Paxlovid.​
  
  

Prescribing supports

• A provincial pharmacy line:  1-866-604-5924 (Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.).

For expert pharmacist advice, a provincial pharmacy line supports prescribing and pharmacists to dispense new COVID-19 therapies and novel medications. A clerk will answer your call (or leave a voicemail) and arrange a pharmacist to call you back. Calls will be responded to as soon as possible during office hours.

• ​VCH physicians in Vancouver or Richmond who prescribe Paxlovid are encouraged to do so using the tools above. For patients who are assessed as higher risk (5 points or higher on the assessment tool), and cannot take Paxlovid a referral for remdesivir can be made through the central intake process by filling out this COVID-19 form and emailing it to: covid.therapy@vch.ca. Physicians with questions may reach out to existing consult support lines or team members with expertise, as required.
   
• In the Coastal Community of Care, the same service can be accessed by contacting the COVID-19 physician on call at 778.984.4075 or emailing CoastalID@vch.ca. Support is available seven days a week between 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Physicians practicing in the community, or outside of VCH can contact the provincial line (see details above).