Arthritis drug Actemra in short supply as demand for use in COVID ramps up
By
Alicia Lasek
Aug 18, 2021
Demand for Actemra IV has skyrocketed due to the latest wave of COVID-19 infections and hospitalizations, drugmaker Genentech says. In the past two weeks alone, orders for the drug shot up to 400% of pre-COVID...
Clinical briefs for Friday, Feb. 18
By
Amy Novotney
Feb 18, 2022
CDC reforming COVID-19 guidance … Nearly three-quarters of the U.S. now estimated to be immune to omicron variant … Brain synapse destruction culprit behind Alzheimer’s cognitive decline … Treatment...
Study outlines recommendations to improve LTC pandemic preparedness
By
John Roszkowski
Sep 25, 2023
Using input received from long-term care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic, Canadian researchers have identified several recommendations aimed at improving future pandemic preparedness, worker mental...
HHS halts Eli Lilly’s single-drug COVID antibody treatment in U.S.; dual-drug alternative remains in...
By
Alicia Lasek
Mar 26, 2021
U.S. distribution of an infusion treatment using bamlanivimab only has been halted due to virus variant concerns, but an alternative antibody cocktail from the drugmaker can still be ordered, according...
Certain populations to receive Paxlovid free through 2024, under new agreement
By
Kristen Fischer
Oct 17, 2023
Paxlovid, an oral drug that treats COVID-19, will begin to enter the commercial market starting next month. At the same time, the US federal government is making sure that the country has enough supply,...
Study seeks to shed light on COVID-19’s impact on the brain
By
John Roszkowski
Sep 23, 2022
A global consortium of researchers is seeking to uncover the short-term and long-term impacts of COVID-19 on the brain to assess whether it can lead to cognitive impairments later in life such as Alzheimer’s...
FDA set to approve two COVID-19 antiviral pills this week
By
Alicia Lasek
Dec 22, 2021
FDA is expected to grant emergency use authorization to two antiviral COVID-19 pills this week, possibly as early as today, according to Bloomberg News, citing sources familiar with the matter.
Pirola COVID-19 variant may not be as contagious as previous variants, researchers say
By
Kristen Fischer
Sep 06, 2023
A new report finds that a new COVID-19 variant — BA.2.86, or Pirola — may not be as contagious than originally thought. That’s good news for long-term care communities, who have been told to brace...
Pandemic lessons learned need to apply to future dementia care in nursing homes: editorial
By
Kristen Fischer
Feb 02, 2024
An editorial in response to a 2023 study about caring for people with dementia during the pandemic highlights some of the ongoing issues in nursing home care quality that became prominent during the outbreak...
FDA no longer requires positive COVID-19 test to prescribe Paxlovid, Lagevrio
By
Alicia Lasek
Feb 01, 2023
The FDA on Wednesday made it easier for clinicians to prescribe these antiviral drugs in cases where transmission is evident and the patient is at high risk of severe illness.