COVID-19

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

Delirium is a common syndrome experienced by patients with COVID-19 while being treated in the ICU, according to a session at the 2020 ASHP Midyear Clinical Meeting and Exhibition.

The COVID-19 pandemic has shed light on the need to further expand the accessible, trusted care provided by community pharmacies.

Distribution of the first 2.9 million doses of the COVID--19 vaccine jointly developed by Pfizer and BioNTech are expected to begin within hours of the FDA’s decision.

A member of the FDA’s expert advisory committee who voted in favor of Pfizer and BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine said that distribution of the first vaccines to high priority populations in the United States could begin as early as Monday.

The Pharmacy Times® Pharmacy Focus podcast provides the latest industry news and information, thought-leader insights, clinical updates, patient counseling tools, and innovative solutions for the everyday practice and business of pharmacy.

As the number of patients hospitalized with COVID-19 has surged, hospitals have been faced with the challenge of converting various spaces into ICUs and COVID-19 units.

The objective of the study was to increase awareness among pharmacists about products for which unfounded claims have been made regarding prevention of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-COV-2) infections.

Direct-to-consumer COVID-19 kit allows for anyone over 18 years of age to perform a nasal swab on themselves and send the sample off for testing.

Until COVID-19 vaccines are widely available, Anthony Fauci, MD, said the importance of public health measures cannot be understated.

Pharmacists can provide a multitude of billing opportunities for their health systems and bringing these opportunities to executives is essential during a time of budget tightening.

The early stage of COVID-19 is typically characterized by lymphocytopenia and thrombocytopenia, whereas the late stage may be characterized by more severe lymphocytopenia and other changes.

Study supports a more individualized approach to pharmacological thromboprophylaxis over a universal one in patients with COVID-19.

Delirium was the sixth most common presenting symptom in all patients, suggesting the clinical importance of including delirium on checklists of presenting signs and symptoms for COVID-19.

Intravenous immunoglobulin administered to hypoxic non-ventilated COVID-19 patients with an A-a gradient of more than 200 mg Hg significantly decreases the rates of progression to mechanical ventilation.

As the literature continues to develop, it will continue being important to rely on well-researched and relied-upon supportive care measures in critically patients.

Oscar-winner Tom Hanks conveyed his appreciation for health care workers and encouraged people to follow protocols recommended by health experts in an effort to prevent the spread of COVID-19 during a live interview Monday hosted by ASHP.

In an interview with Pharmacy Times, Stefan Behrens, PhD, CEO and co-founder of GYANT, and Justin Graham, MD, MS, chief medical officer, said preparing patients for the process of receiving a coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine is essential.

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

A recent nationwide survey of 400 pharmacists conducted by the American Pharmacists Association (APhA) found that more than three-fourths of pharmacists plan to be vaccinated with 1 of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccines.

Although most people say they will receive a COVID-19 vaccine once it becomes available, 27% were unsure.

In recent years, digital health devices have offered pathways for patients to record and send data, which may ultimately encourage the patient to be more interactive in their disease management.

According to the survey results, 56% of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease reported that COVID-19 has made it difficult for them to receive treatment

Proteases are important to the health and viability of cells and viruses. If proteases are inhibited, cells cannot perform many important functions, such as replication.

Following authorization allowing pharmacists to administer childhood vaccines, some pediatricians have expressed concerns that this deprives children of medical care or could lead to missed vaccines.

The researchers launched the Perinatal Experiences and COVID-19 Effects Study to better understand the mental health and well-being of pregnant and postpartum individuals within the United States during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Beta-blockers could be used as a potential treatment for COVID-19, according to a study by Italian and Australian researchers.

Warning letters requested that companies immediately stop selling these unapproved products and said consumers concerned about COVID-19 should talk to their health care provider.

COVID-19 has not stolen my final year of pharmacy school from me, but rather, has given me once in lifetime learning opportunities unique to this time in my life and in the world.

Pharmacy Times spoke with Angela Kashuba, Dean of UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy and Patrick Brown, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy Alumni, about the importance of preparing pharmacists and students to vaccinate the general public with the COVID-19 vaccine.