Ashley Gallagher, Associate Editor

Gepirone hydrochloride ER (Exxua; Fabre-Kramer Pharmaceuticals Inc) is in a new class of antidepressants, making it the first and only approved antidepressant that selectively targets serotonin 1A receptors.

Study findings showed a 10% increase in the proportion of individuals staying home due to COVID-19 policy restrictions being associated with a 0.27 increase in PHQ-9 scores for depression.

The National Community Pharmacists Association said the action was sent into motion by wrongful penalties for Medicare Part D prescriptions, called pharmacy direct and indirect remuneration fees.

Current federal statutes exclude anti-obesity medications for coverage when used for anorexia, weight loss, or weight gain.

Investigators reported that enfortumab vedotin-ejfv (Padcev; Astella Pharma Inc, Seagen Inc) in combination with pembrolizumab (Keytruda; Merck & Co Inc) met the dual primary endpoints of overall survival and progression-free survival in patients with previously untreated locally advanced or metastatic urothelial cancer.

Datopotamab deruxtecan (Dato-DXd; AstraZeneca, Daiichi Sankyo) also demonstrated improved overall survival compared to chemotherapy.

To promote positive mental health outcomes, researchers urge for policy interventions that focus on home connectedness, peer friendship, and school climate while avoiding full school closures.

Chemotherapy, medication for attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, glucagon-like peptide-1 agonists for weight loss and diabetes, and local anesthetics were among the drugs most affected by shortages.

Empagliflozin (Jardiance) demonstrated a 28% relative risk reduction, with an absolute risk reduction of 3.6% per patient-year at risk in the treatment of chronic kidney disease.

Monoclonal antibody treatment resulted in suppression of HIV for more than 3 months, with some continuing to suppress the virus for more than 18 months after treatment stopped.

Standard amount of pre-workout should be taken at least 13.2 hours before bedtime to avoid sleep disruptions; however, there was no cut-off time for a cup of black tea.

Two separate study findings reported that a subset of dormant CD4+ cells could spontaneously produce HIV RNA and proteins, impacting a patient’s HIV-specific immune responses.

The sNDA is based on data that evaluated belzutifan (Welireg; Merck) compared to everolimus (Afinitor; Novartis) for the treatment of advanced renal cell carcinoma.

Investigators of the GLAAD and Gilead COMPASS Initiative survey tracked the progress against HIV stigma, the transmission and prevention of HIV, and the attitudes and knowledge of those living with HIV in the United States.

Moderna has advanced 6 programs into late-stage development, including for respiratory conditions, latent and other viruses, oncology, and rare diseases.

Infections were associated with a 1.49-fold increase in the rate of dementia in both the short- and long-term rates, however, the increases were greater in the short term.

Supplemental biologics license application is based on positive results from the phase 3 XTEND-Kids study, demonstrating highly effective bleed protection with once weekly dosing of Altuviiio for children with severe hemophilia A.

Study results could lead to an FDA approval for MDMA to treat post-traumatic stress disorder by the end of 2023.

Investigators found an approximately 23% decrease in overall cancer incidence in April 2020, specifically for breast, colon, rectal, head and neck cancers, as well as melanoma and endocrine cancer diagnoses.

Evidence-based programs and policies to improve vaccine uptake are necessary for both caregivers and the general public because influenza vaccine coverage remains low for both groups.

The CDC emphasized the need for protein-based vaccine options in endorsing a vote by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices for the universal recommendation of the 2023-2024 monovalent, XBB containing COVID-19 vaccines.

Children born at 24- through 34-weeks’ gestation could have neurobehavioral problems and developmental dysfunctions, including language, executive function, attention, and behavioral disorders.

Senate Bill 219 will also allow pharmacists to independently administer influenza and COVID-19 tests waived by the clinical laboratory improvement amendments.

Investigators said that understanding virulence factors, resistance mechanisms, and host interactions can help establish the development of novel therapeutics for Clostridioides difficile.

Sotorasib (Lumakras) plus carboplatin and pemetrexed shows promise in the first line treatment of advanced non–small cell lung cancer.

FDA grants updated Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccines with emergency use authorization to target currently circulating variants of the virus.

Research into the mechanisms of intravenous immunoglobulin is often challenging due to the complexity of polyclonal preparations, including diversity, repertoires, blocking, or anti-idiotypic antibodies.

Applying novel and effective behavioral economics for pre-exposure prophylaxis dissemination programs could help to tailor the programs to the populations and settings of high HIV burden areas.

With the emergence of BA.2.86, and the growing prevalence of EG.5 and FL1.5.1, there is a need for updated vaccines against COVID-19 to help decrease severe disease and hospitalizations.

Black women had the highest rates of obesity-related cardiovascular disease deaths whereas other racial groups had more men experiencing obesity-related CVD deaths than women.