COVID-19 treatments
During the pandemic,many drugs were evaluated in Canada and around the world as potential treatments for COVID-19. Health Canada authorized several of these for use in Canada.
Find out which COVID-19 drugs and vaccines we've authorized.
On this page
- About treatments for COVID-19
- What authorization of a treatment means
- Procuring therapeutics to treat COVID-19
About treatments for COVID-19
Vaccination and personal protective measures are the best way to protect against infection and severe disease. Treatments aren't a substitute for vaccination, but can help prevent complications.
Several types of treatments for COVID-19 have been developed since the beginning of the pandemic. Examples include drugs that:
- treat the symptoms of COVID-19
- reduce or stop the virus from multiplying in human cells
Health Canada has authorized these COVID-19 treatments:
Each province and territory decides how to use these drugs based on their needs.
The Canadian Product Monograph for each medication is updated to include emerging information about safety and COVID-19 variants of concern, as warranted.
Health Canada also communicates important safety information through the Recalls and Safety Alerts Database.
Talk to a health care provider or pharmacist for more information about available treatments.
Learn more:
- Recalls and Safety Alerts Database
- COVID-19: Provincial and territorial resources
- Coronavirus disease (COVID-19): For health professionals
What authorization of a treatment means
Health Canada only authorizes treatments for COVID-19 after thorough scientific review of their safety, efficacy and quality. A treatment must prove that:
- it works well
- it is of high quality
- its benefits outweigh its risks when used as directed
The manufacturer may need to meet certain terms and conditions for the product to be authorized. As a result, they may need to submit more information, such as:
- post-market monitoring reports about safety once the treatment is in use, including:
- serious adverse drug reactions
- actions taken by regulators in other countries because of treatment safety issues
- data on the treatment's:
- efficacy, from new or ongoing clinical trials
- effectiveness, based on real-world use
- data confirming that the manufacturing processes and controls will consistently produce high-quality products
Companies must also submit a risk management plan to Health Canada when applying for authorization. These plans for monitoring the treatment after it is authorized include:
- the treatment's safety profile
- how the treatment prevents or minimizes risk to patients
- how to monitor and assess ongoing safety measures
- plans for studies and other activities into the treatment's safety and effectiveness
Health Canada continues to monitor and review all relevant data and will take prompt action if any safety concerns arise.
Health Canada provides updates on post-market activities for each COVID-19 authorized treatment in the respective Post-Authorization Activity Table for that product.
Check a treatment's post-market activities
Procuring therapeutics to treat COVID-19
Early in the pandemic, the Public Health Agency of Canada and Public Services Procurement Canada procured COVID-19 treatments for federal, provincial and territorial health care systems. This ensured that everyone in Canada had access to safe and effective treatments if they needed them.
Now that COVID-19 is in the post-emergency phase, the Public Health Agency of Canada is winding down its federal procurement activities. Purchase agreement obligations are completed and returning to provincial and territorial responsibility for routine pharmaceutical management practices for drug supply and access.