Providers call for broader antipsychotic exclusions to help reduce schizophrenia diagnoses
By
Kimberly Marselas
Mar 31, 2023
Providers and quality experts are questioning why the agency hasn’t done more to review its quality measure for antipsychotic drug use.
FDA advisers support full approval of Paxlovid for at-risk older adults
By
Alicia Lasek
Mar 16, 2023
The antiviral drug Paxlovid should receive full FDA approval to treat COVID-19 in older adults at risk of severe outcomes, the advisers decided in a Thursday vote.
VHA to cover new Alzheimer’s drug Leqembi, despite CMS’s restraint
By
Alicia Lasek
Mar 14, 2023
The Veterans Health Administration will provide coverage for the recently approved drug lecanemab (Leqembi) to qualified veterans with early Alzheimer’s disease. It’s a surprise move considering...
Pfizer asks FDA to approve omicron-specific booster shot
Aug 22, 2022
The drug company says that its new mRNA vaccine produces an immune response against the BA.4 and BA.5 omicron subvariants.
Pfizer, BioNTech to pursue 2nd booster shot authorization for older adults
By
Alicia Lasek
Mar 16, 2022
A second booster — or fourth dose — will be necessary to improve the vaccine’s waning protection in the face of omicron, Pfizer’s CEO has stated. Whether the FDA will find the evidence compelling...
Merck to seek emergency use for COVID-19 antiviral pill that cuts severe outcomes by 50 percent
By
Alicia Lasek
Oct 04, 2021
Molnupiravir has reduced COVID-19 deaths and hospitalizations by half in a new clinical trial. An orally delivered drug could offer unprecedented treatment convenience, the drug’s developers say.
U.S. lawmakers ramp up scrutiny of FDA following agency’s approval of controversial Alzheimer’s drug
By
Alicia Lasek
Sep 07, 2021
The FDA is being asked to help explain how Aduhelm (aducanumab) met accelerated approval criteria when so many experts — including internal advisers — have flagged insufficient safety and efficacy...
Also in the news for Wednesday, February 4
Feb 04, 2015
Beloved nursing home therapy dog shot in Kansas … Food and Drug Administration is requesting a budget of $4.9 billion … System for monitoring side effects of prescription drugs is severely...
What’s your load? How nurses can lighten med usage
By
Jacqueline Vance, RNC, CDONA/LTC
Jan 23, 2014
The US Food and Drug Administration recently requested that practitioners stop prescribing combination prescription pain medications that have more than 325 mg of acetaminophen per tablet, capsule, etc.,...
Blinking lights and deadly bacteria
By
Gary Tetz
Dec 19, 2013
Well, alrighty then. Looks like I didn’t win the lottery. So I guess I’ll have to buckle down and write yet another profound but cheeky blog post for this fine long-term care news magazine....