COVID-19

The US Pharmacopeia (USP) is providing free technical assistance to developers of antiviral drugs and vaccines that will support the public health response to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

Pharmacy Moms Group special task force develops guidelines as precautions are implemented amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

A new commentary suggests that public health leaders should guide world leaders through the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic.

A report published noted that there are subpopulations of pediatric patients with COVID-19 who have an increased risk for more significant illness.

Steven C. Hoffart, PharmD, owner and operator of Magnolia Pharmacy in Magnolia, Texas, said his pharmacy had run out of prepared hand sanitizer when he saw a need for many people in his area.

More than 90% of physicians, nurses, and pharmacists are concerned about COVID-19 affecting their patients, whereas 68% of doctors and 67% of nurses feel they are reasonably prepared for a COVID-19 outbreak in their area.

Four out of 8 manufacturers of hydroxychloroquine, an anti-malarial drug that had shown some success treating the symptoms of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), are already experiencing shortages.

A new report from the CDC has found that a significant portion of hospitalizations in the United States have come from younger adults.

The FDA has released a statement addressing the issue, stating that the organization is “not aware of scientific evidence connecting the use of NSAIDs, like ibuprofen, with worsening COVID-19 symptoms.”

CVS mistakenly sent unproven information to employees surrounding drinking warm water to combat the novel coronavirus.

Marilyn Bulloch, PharmD, BCPS, FCCM, shares her perspective of how the global COVID-19 pandemic is impacting pharmacy in her Alabama community.

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, a key issue for pharmacists, other health care professionals, and patients is the potential for disruptions in the US medication supply chain.

Top news of the week from Pharmacy Times surrounding the novel coronavirus.

The General Pharmaceutical Council has made plans to temporarily re-register pharmacists and pharmacy technicians should the government launch a state of emergency due to the novel coronavirus.

Researchers in Australia tested blood samples at 4 different time points in an otherwise healthy adult woman who presented with COVID-19 and had mild-to-moderate symptoms requiring hospital admission.

This will be the first global study of tocilizumab in this setting and is expected to begin enrolling in early April, with a target of approximately 330 patients globally.

Chloroquine and remdesivir are not FDA-approved for a COVID-19 indications.

Although preventive measures may be largely the same for patients with cancer during the COVID-19, the pandemic could result in difficult treatment decisions.

Members of AHIP will take steps to ensure affordable access to COVID-19 testing and treatment, according to a statement from the company.

Earlier this week, the FDA updated its guidance on testing for the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), allowing clinical laboratories to create and perform COVID-19 tests without pursuing FDA emergency use authorization (EUA).

Now is the time for pharmacists to stand even taller and provide more help to their communities.

Furthermore, they established that 101 out of every 10,000 cases will develop symptoms after 14 days of active monitoring or quarantine.

The American Pharmacists Association (APhA) is calling upon the federal Coronavirus Task Force to make greater use of pharmacists in combating the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.

SARS-CoV-2 was detectable in aerosols for up to 3 hours, up to 4 hours on copper, up to 24 hours on cardboard, and up to 3 days on plastic and stainless steel.

The availability of personal protective equipment, including face masks, gloves and hand sanitizers, have been a concern to many pharmacists.

Pharmacy giants Walgreens and CVS are taking extensive steps to ensure patient access to medications during the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, including waiving drug delivery fees and expanding telehealth options.

The FDA acknowledged that protocol modifications or deviations may be required for clinical trials during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The approval allows Florida to waive certain requirements in Medicare, Medicaid, and CHIP.

Researchers and senior physicians support a French official’s warning that individuals showing symptoms of the novel coronavirus should use paracetamol rather than ibuprofen.

Some pharmacists and technicians are reporting that they don’t have enough personal protective equipment behind the counter.