Week in Review: Prior Chemotherapy Linked to Increased Risk of Death with COVID-19

Top news of the week from Pharmacy Times®.

5. Prior Chemotherapy Linked to Increased Risk of Death with COVID-19

The recent analysis studied 400 patients with thoracic cancers who received chemotherapy, alone or in combination with other treatments, within 3 months of being diagnosed with COVID-19. Read more.

4. The Value of the Pharmacist in Supporting Medication Safety

Allison Hanson, PharmD, BCPS, 2019-2020 ISMP International Medication Safety Management Fellow, discusses the value of a pharmacist in supporting and implementing medication safety strategies. Read more.

3. Study Finds Remdesivir Benefits Patients with COVID-19, Results in Greater Clinical Improvement

In the new study, hospitalized patients with a confirmed COVID-19 infection and evidence of pneumonia without reduced oxygen levels were randomized to receive open-label remdesivir for 5 or 10 days or standard of care alone. Read more.

2. Law Expands Pharmacists’ Vaccine Authority to Include COVID-19 Treatments in Minnesota

The law also expands pharmacists’ authority by giving them the ability to prescribe self-administered hormonal contraceptives, nicotine replacement medications, and opiate antagonists. Read more.

1. Study: Scientific Evidence Suggest Certain Foods Significantly Boost Brain Health

The researchers looked into the lifestyle habits of 6000 participants and found that individuals who consumed food rich in vitamin E had a decreased risk of a memory-robbing condition. Read here.