COVID-19

Farah Towfic, PharmD, MBA, director, CEO operations at US Pharmacopeia (USP), discusses USP’s release of an updated version of its COVID-19 Vaccine Handling Toolkit in response to feedback from independent pharmacies to mass vaccination clinics.

The COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted pharmacy practice due to its role in supporting overwhelmed physicians, nurses, and other health care professionals who faced some of the immediate challenges of the crisis.

Pharmacies can reach patients who are not receiving vaccines from a pharmacy but are willing to receive them.

More than ever, confidence in objective, science-based data about therapeutics, such as the COVID-19 vaccine and other health care services, is a shared imperative across the pharmaceutical industry, health care communities, and the American public.

This vaccine rollout has become even more crucial for the US health care system, as new mutations of the coronavirus continue to emerge.

New results show that non-Hispanic Black patients with COVID-19 and type 1 diabetes have an additional risk of diabetic ketoacidosis beyond the risk of having diabetes or being of minority status.

Among surveyed American adults, more than half were diagnosable with probable depression at baseline, in addition to 65% who had anxiety and 51% at risk for post-traumatic stress disorder.

Following a review of the latest interim data released by AstraZeneca on its US phase 3 clinical trial assessing the 2-dose AZD1222 COVID-19 vaccine, the Data and Safety Monitoring Board (DSMB) expressed concern at the inclusion of what may have been outdated data.

Phase 3 clinical testing of a plant-derived COVID-19 vaccine candidate in combination with a pandemic adjuvant commenced following approval to proceed with participant enrollment from regulatory authorities in both Canada and the United States.

Intranasal administration of virucidal and antiviral therapies may provide added clinical benefit by decreasing viral activity in the nasal pathway, preventing COVID-19 transmission and managing disease severity.

The independent data safety monitoring board conducted a specific review of thrombotic events related to AstraZeneca’s COVID-19 vaccine and found no increased risk.

The first participants were dosed in the phase 2/3 KidCOVE study investigating vaccine candidate mRNA-1273 against COVID-19 in children aged 6 months to less than 12 years of age.

This week on Pharmacy Times, there are a number of important topics that will be covered and posted throughout the week.

The research demonstrates that the coronavirus enzyme PLpro physically interacts with the receptor MDA5 and inhibits the ISGylation process.

This week is National Brain Awareness Week, so Pharmacy Times® interviewed Caroline Carney, MD, MSc, FAPM, CPHQ, CMO of Magellan Health, on some of the issues surrounding the contemporary understanding of mental health and brain health.

In a recent interview with Pharmacy Times, Raj Desai, PharmD, MBA, discussed a recent COVID-19 vaccination event at Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital, where he is the director of pharmacy.

Community pharmacists have an essential role to play during this phase of the crisis that could further entrench them as the epicenter of care in the communities they serve.

One recent study found COVID-19 antibodies in all 20 pregnant women and their newborns.

Pharmacy Times® interviewed George Rafferty, president of corporate partnerships at AmerisourceBergen, on how large retail pharmacies have been impacted by and been able to respond to the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Health care professionals should address potential barriers to completing the COVID-19 vaccination series, including scheduling second-dose appointments at the first-dose administration and sending reminders for second-dose visits.

Results of clinical trials have shown that a nitric oxide nasal spray is both a safe and effective antiviral treatment to prevent COVID-19 transmission and symptom duration, as well as reduce symptom severity and damage in those already infected.

Adults in the United States are reporting undesired weight changes, an increase in drinking, and other negative behavior changes that may be unhealthy coping mechanisms for prolonged stress, according to a survey conducted by the American Psychological Association (APA).

Evidence demonstrates that overweight and obesity are risk factors for severe COVID-19.

Using inclusive questions, preferred terms, and language etiquette can turn the simple task of immunizing into a fulfilling patient-centered opportunity for both pharmacists and patients.

Pharmacy Times® interviewed Beth Battaglino, RN-C, CEO of HealthyWomen and a convener of the COVID-19 Vaccine Education and Equity Project, on the recent “Count Me In” digital campaign.