Concerns are growing in Alberta about the accessibility and affordability of Paxlovid, after the federal government ended its program supplying the COVID-19 treatment to provinces, which provided the drug for free to specific groups of high-risk patients.

Paxlovid is an anti-viral medication used to treat mild to moderate COVID-19 in people at high risk of severe illness. It should be taken within five days of symptom onset.

Prior to the change, Alberta pharmacies paid a small fee to stock the dr…