response to my email from BC government regarding AlgernonI decided to write BC Government , Minister of Health , to make them aware of Algernonand this was my response from them....
Thank you for your email of August 19, 2020, regarding Algernon Pharmaceuticals and their clinical trials of ifenprodil for the treatment of coronavirus (COVID-19). The Honourable Adrian Dix, Minister of Health, has asked me to respond on his behalf.
Protecting the health and safety of British Columbians is the top priority of the Ministry of Health (the Ministry). The Provincial Health Officer, BC Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC), and the Ministry are actively monitoring the COVID-19 pandemic. Throughout British Columbia and Canada, there are many systems in place to prepare for, detect, and contain serious infectious diseases. We expect that transmission of COVID-19 will increase in the province and are providing advice and recommendations in response to the situation as it evolves in an effort to slow transmission; however, the Ministry and Provincial Health Officer are confident in our capacity to contain the spread of COVID-19 in our communities and at a provincial level.
Thank you for taking the time to bring Algernon Pharmaceuticals and their work with ifenprodil as a potential treatment for COVID19 to our attention. Provincial, federal, and health system partners are working collaboratively to take an evidenceinformed approach to addressing the pandemic, and are exploring all options to ensure that people are healthy. The Canadian Institutes of Health Research have announced a $27 million investment into COVID19 research; more information is available here:
https://www.canada.ca/en/institutes-health-research/news/2020/03/government-of-canada-invests-27m-in-coronavirus-research--details-of-the-funded-projects.html. Additionally, Canada has signed onto the World Health Organization’s global ‘solidarity’ clinical trial; more information is available here:
https://news.un.org/en/story/2020/03/1059722.
Although we are hopeful a cure or treatment can be found quickly, it is critical to note that, at this time, a proven treatment for COVID19 does not exist.
I appreciate the opportunity to respond.
Sincerely,
Tijana Fazlagic, PharmD, BSP, M.Sc. (Pharm)
Executive Director, Therapeutic Assessment & Access
Pharmaceutical, Laboratory & Blood Services Division, Ministry of Health
pc: Honourable Adrian Dix