After 20 years on the market, AbbVie’s dry-eye drug Restasis to be available as generic
By
Alicia Lasek
Feb 03, 2022
Dry eyes affect nearly 19% percent of adults aged 75 years and older, according to data from a national survey.
U.S. gives green light to Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine
By
Alicia Lasek
Feb 01, 2022
“Spikevax” is the second COVID-19 mRNA vaccine to receive full FDA approval, following Pfizer-BioNTech’s Comirnaty in September.
Also in the News for Tuesday, Feb. 1
By
Danielle Brown
Feb 01, 2022
Feds provide more guidance on Phase 4 relief funding … FDA fully approves Moderna COVID-19 vaccine … Former NY health commissioner confirms COVID-19 nursing home deaths were 49% higher than what they...
First vaccine deadline arrives for healthcare workers in half the nation
By
Danielle Brown
Jan 28, 2022
Surveyors can now evaluate long-term care providers’ compliance with a federal COVID-19 vaccine mandate covering healthcare workers in half of the United States. Many long-term care providers are ready...
Clinical briefs for Thursday, Jan. 27
By
Alicia Lasek
Jan 27, 2022
CMS: Only fully vaccinated surveyors should be part of on-site survey teams … CMS begins posting more staffing and turnover data … Senators sponsor bipartisan bill to probe handling of U.S. pandemic...
CMS: Only fully vaccinated surveyors should be part of onsite survey teams
By
Danielle Brown
Jan 26, 2022
Surveyors who are not fully vaccinated and don’t have a COVID-19 vaccine exemption should not participate as part of the onsite survey team when inspecting certified providers, according to the Centers...
Feds must deliver immediate $5 wage increase, relief payments for LTC workers, top provider group warns
By
Danielle Brown
Jan 25, 2022
The nation’s second largest nursing home association is demanding the Biden administration “immediate relief” for aging services providers that would include a $5 per hour wage increase and a one-time...
FDA halts use of REGEN-COV, Eli Lilly monoclonal antibodies
By
Alicia Lasek
Jan 26, 2022
The Food and Drug Administration has revoked its emergency use authorizations for two monoclonal antibody cocktails that have served as COVID-19 treatment mainstays in long-term care facilities.
Dietary protein often too high in seniors with kidney disease, nephrologists say
By
Alicia Lasek
Jan 26, 2022
Study results underscore the need for a thorough nutritional review and intervention in this population, investigators say.
FDA expands use of remdesivir to skilled nursing, other non-hospital settings
By
Alicia Lasek
Jan 25, 2022
Remdesivir, the first FDA-approved COVID-19 drug, now can be used in adult and pediatric patients with mild-to moderate COVID-19 illness at high risk of progressing to severe disease, the agency has announced.