Alana Hippensteele is lead editor at Pharmacy Times®, Contemporary Clinic, and Pharmacy Times Oncology Edition®. She has a master's in Critical Theory and Creative Research from Pacific Northwest College of Art and a bachelor's degree in English and Art History. She has worked as an English instructor at Temple University and held editorial positions at American Cleaning & Hygiene and Tin House.
COVID-19 Pandemic Has Resulted in Fewer Heart Surgeries, More Patient Deaths
February 23rd 2021The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in a significant decline in the volume of overall heart surgeries, as well as an increase in deaths following coronary artery bypass grafting, according to research.
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Over 3 Million COVID-19 Vaccinations Have Been Administered by Walgreens
February 20th 2021In a recent statement updating its progress with COVID-19 vaccinations, Walgreens explained that it has administered more than 3 million COVID-19 vaccinations at LTC facilities and among additional vulnerable populations.
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Weight Loss After HER2-positive Early Breast Cancer Diagnosis Associated With Worse Outcomes
February 19th 2021A 5% weight loss over 2 years in patients with HER2-positive early breast cancer was associated with worse outcomes, according to new research that investigated the BMI data of these patients.
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Study Finds Medical Debt Can Result in Significant Adverse Effects on Physical, Mental Health
February 18th 2021Communication plays a critical role in coping strategies around health and financial challenges, according to a recent qualitative study that investigated how people cope with these challenges.
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Moderna Provides Update on US COVID-19 Vaccine Supply
February 17th 2021To date, 45.4 million doses of Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine have been supplied to the US government, according to a recent update from the company that details progress on their ongoing collaboration with the US government.
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Study: High Rate of Smoking Reduction, Cessation in Patients With Lung Cancer Following Study Entry
February 17th 2021A recent comprehensive, prospective study of smoking habits among patients with non-small cell lung cancer demonstrated a high rate of smoking reduction and cessation following entry into the phase 3 early-stage trial.
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COVID-19 Pandemic ‘Unveiled’ Preexisting Racial Disparities in Health Care
February 15th 2021In a discussion regarding racial disparities and impediments to getting more people of color vaccinated, Laurie Zephyrin, MD, MPH, MBA, vice president of the delivery system reform at The Commonwealth Fund, explained some of the key factors.
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Fun Fact: How Did a Man in the 19th Century Miraculously Cure Himself From Certain Death?
February 12th 2021In the early 19th century, hydropathic institutes became all the rage after Priessnitz miraculously healed himself following a rib injury that his doctor had proclaimed would lead to certain death.
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NACDS Urges Congress to Recognize Critical Role of Pharmacies in Overcoming the Pandemic
February 5th 2021In a recent congressional hearing, the NACDS submitted a statement underscoring the critical role of pharmacies, pharmacists, and pharmacy teams in the COVID-19 response and recovery efforts taking place across the country.
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Study Finds Oral Azacitidine as AML Maintenance Treatment Prolongs Survival
February 3rd 2021Patients with AML that has gone into remission following initial chemotherapy were found to remain in remission longer and have improved OS if they took a pill form of azacitidine as a maintenance treatment.
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Efficacy and Safety of FOLFIRI for Previously Treated Advanced Pancreatic Cancer
January 29th 2021The treatment of 5-fluorouracil with levofolinate and irinotecan was found to be well-tolerated and effective as a second-line treatment for patients with gemcitabine-refractory advanced pancreatic cancer.
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Walgreens Provides an Update on COVID-19 Vaccination Administration Across the Country
January 28th 2021In a progress update on COVID-19 vaccine administration and testing in Walgreens pharmacies, speakers discussed the rollout and implementation of the COVID-19 vaccination process in LTC facilities.
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Data Demonstrate the Clinical Benefit of Onvansertib in KRAS-Mutated mCRC
January 27th 2021Data from a phase 1b/2 study investigating onvansertib as a treatment of KRAS-mutated mCRC demonstrated that 42% of patients achieved a PR and 67% demonstrated a durable response ranging from 6.1 months to 13.7 months.
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NCPA Urges Biden Administration to Consider Independent Pharmacies as Part of COVID-19 Strategy
January 26th 2021Following the release of the Biden administration’s COVID-19 response strategy, NCPA issued its support and urged the government to also consider engaging independent pharmacies in its implementation.
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FDA Approves Rilpivirine, Cabotegravir as the First Long-Acting Regimen for HIV Treatment
January 23rd 2021The FDA has approved cabenuva, which consists of rilpivirine and cabotegravir, for treating HIV-1 infection in adults. This therapy is the first once-monthly, long-acting injectable to be approved for the treatment of HIV.
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Triggering a Tumor Antiviral Immune Response in Patients With Triple-Negative Breast Cancer
January 22nd 2021During a study investigating therapeutics that target how RNA splicing activates antiviral immune pathways in triple-negative breast cancers, researchers observed that endogenous RNA in tumor cells that had been mis-spliced is able to mimic an RNA virus.
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