COVID-19

Top news from across the health care landscape.

The goals of the expansion are to maintain social distancing and to avoid overburdening hospitals with patients.

Several pharmaceutical companies are racing to develop an effective treatment for the virus that is now a global pandemic.

A clinical program evaluating sarilumab (Kevzara, Sanofi and Regeneron) has started in patients hospitalized with a severe form of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), according to the company.

The authorizations have been given to Hologic for its Panther Fusion SARS-CoV-2 Assay and to Laboratory Corporation of America for its COVID-19 reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction test.

A new executive order from Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear has expanded prescribing rights to pharmacists in light of the novel coronavirus.

In an appeal to all Americans, Deborah Birx, MD, said everyone has a role in stopping COVID-19 from spreading.

The first clinical trial evaluating an investigational vaccine designed to protect against the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) has begun.

Protecting pharmacy staff is vital to ensuring continued care during the COVID-19 outbreak.

French health officials have warned that widely used OTC anti-inflammatory drugs may worsen the novel coronavirus known as COVID-19, whereas others say more evidence is needed.

In response to growing concern surrounding the novel coronavirus, Cedarville University School of Pharmacy and Cedar Care Village Pharmacy presented an online town hall meeting with an infectious disease expert.

Pharmacies across the country also taking necessary steps to help facilitate COVID-19 testing and to keep patients safe.

Top news from across the health care landscape.

The new guidance for industry (GFI) document, “Policy for Temporary Compounding of Certain Alcohol-Based Hand Sanitizer Products,” was released Saturday.

Thermo Fisher Scientific’s test is designed to provide patient results within 4 hours of a sample being received by a lab.

As the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic continues to spread, the World Health Organization (WHO) is urging the public to follow proper safety procedures and support each other, according to the latest press conference.

President Donald Trump announced the “national emergency” designation in a news conference Friday.

In its first action, the FDA has decided to not object to the New York State Department of Health’s (NYSDOH) action authorizing certain laboratories in New York to start patient testing for COVID-19.

Some of the candidates are approved by the FDA for other indications, but the majority of the agents are not currently commercially available in the United States for therapeutic use.

In the United States, the CDC has confirmed 938 cases and 29 deaths, as well as 771 patients under investigation.

Pharmacies report that are hand sanitizers are “essentially gone,” with the situation not entirely different from a drug shortage in that it’s also difficult to obtain products from wholesalers amid the coronavirus scare.

The FDA is taking action against companies that claim to treat or prevent the virus.

The United States now has more than 100 confirmed cases and 10 deaths, according to the CDC.

The greatest risk is still to people who have been in close contact with COVID-19 patients, according to the CDC.

The virus has now reached all continents except Antarctica, with cases reported in 47 countries.

As pharmacists, patients are inquiring about these kits already, and recommending such items can help prevent a lot of worry.

The FDA and the White House also announced new initiatives to combat the novel coronavirus.

In a press briefing, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom, PhD, said the decision to declare a pandemic is based on ongoing assessments of the geographic spread, the virus’s impact on overall society, and the severity of the illnesses.

As countries across the world enact policies to limit the scope of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), a report of transmission via an asymptomatic carrier could make prevention more difficult and increase global concerns.

Fears surrounding the COVID-19 outbreak have had major effects even in unaffected areas, including face mask shortages, a falling stock market, and many unsubstantiated rumors.