COVID-19

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

A survey found that the majority of oncologists did not feel like they could perform their duties as well as they could prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The study authors note that COVID-19 disease processes could predispose patients to a higher burden of acute brain dysfunction.

B.1.1.7, or otherwise known as VOC 202012/01, may lead to a large increase in the number of COVID-19 cases in the United States and may become the dominant strain of the virus in the coming months.

Recent surveys indicate that the proportion of the US population willing to be vaccinated for COVID-19 has fluctuated from 72% in May to 51% in September 2020.

The recommendations focus on dilution errors, vaccine and monoclonal antibody mix-ups, waste of doses, administering immunizations to the wrong age group, errors with scheduling the second dose, and allergic reactions.

In a statement by the APhA, Scott J. Knoer, executive vice president and CEO of APhA, noted the association’s support for this first step by the Biden administration on the road to recovery from the pandemic.

Although safety and efficacy have been proven, a few questions still remain about how long the vaccines will be effective and whether they prevent asymptomatic infection.

The next step of the process—distribution of the vaccine—will be as challenging as the development phase, if not more so.

New research suggests immunosuppressants do not increase the risk of worse COVID-19 outcomes.

In a statement released by NCPA, the association explained that the current COVID-19 vaccination rollout in the country could be accelerated by working with community pharmacists.

The single dose investigational vaccine being developed by the Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson is a recombinant, replication-incompetent adenovirus serotype 26 vector encoding a stabilized SARS-CoV-2 spike protein.

As new testing devices, therapies, and vaccines are approved for COVID-19, patients will be dependent on their health care providers for answers and education.

Pharmacy Times® interviewed Rina Shah, PharmD, group vice president of pharmacy operations and services at Walgreens, on the rollout of phase 1b and c of COVID-19 vaccinations at Walgreens pharmacies.

For patients with COVID-19, mitochondria are one of the first lines of defense in fighting the virus.

One of the main challenges with the distribution process is that each state has its own jurisdictional plan, which can create some confusion.

Liam Townsend, MD, and his co-authors looked at a number of measures of recovery for 153 patients who were followed in an outpatient clinic a median of 75 days after their COVID-19 diagnoses.

Pharmacy Times® interviewed Rina Shah, PharmD, group vice president of pharmacy operations and services at Walgreens, on whether any unforeseen problems have arisen during the first wave of COVID-19 vaccinations at long-term care facilities.

Approximately one-third of children with COVID-19 are asymptomatic, according to a study conducted by researchers at the University of Alberta.

As patients with HIV are living longer, they are also being diagnosed with chronic conditions that have become increasingly common in recent decades, putting them at higher risk of COVID-19 hospitalization and death.

Pharmacy Times® interviewed Rina Shah, PharmD, group vice president of pharmacy operations and services at Walgreens, on the first wave of COVID-19 vaccine administration at long-term care facilities across the country.

Study finds the COVID-19 pandemic has drastically improved the quality and convenience of virtual cancer care.

There is particular interest in monoclonal antibody agents to determine whether their immune suppressive effects can reduce the immediate and long-term impact of COVID-19.

COVID-19 has been found in the brain post-mortem.

Moderna, Inc has also announced temporary authorization of its COVID-19 vaccine in Switzerland.