Canada-wide research on COVID medications launches its first site

A national research study evaluating the effectiveness of existing and emerging COVID medications has started participant enrollment in Ontario.

CanTreatCOVID research study aims to identify effective, affordable and evidence-based medications for COVID that would reduce emergency department visits and hospital stays and help people feel better faster. The long-term goal of the study is to find medications that prevent post-COVID condition, also known as long COVID.

Supported by $10 million in grants from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, Health Canada and Public Health Agency of Canada, CanTreatCOVID partners with more than 30 organizations across six provinces: Ontario, Quebec, British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba, and Newfoundland and Labrador. Participant enrollment in other provinces will begin soon.

The study is open to adults aged 18-49 years with one or more chronic condition(s) or adults aged 50+ years who tested positive for COVID within the last five days.

In addition to studying whether any acute treatment can prevent long COVID, CanTreatCOVID will build this adaptive platform trial to be useful for other respiratory infections and help with future pandemics.

CanTreatCOVID study is based at MAP Centre for Urban Health Solutions, Unity Health Toronto and led by Dr. Andrew Pinto, Public Health and Preventive Medicine Specialist, Family Physician, and Founder & Director of the Upstream Lab.

For more information, visit https://cantreatcovid.org/ or contact info@CanTreatCOVID.org or 1-888-888-3308.

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