COVID Pharma Update
Therapeutics
Innovative drug, Carrimycin, Receives FDA Approval for International, Multi-country Phase III Clinical Trial for the treatment of severe COVID-19 in hospitalized patients
Shenyang Tonglian Group Co., Ltd., a company innovating and producing specialty pharmaceuticals including anti-infective treatments, announced that the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) has approved a randomized, multicenter, placebo-controlled, double-blind clinical study of the safety and efficacy of Carrimycin for the treatment of severe COVID-19 in hospitalized patients.
HHS, DOD collaborate with Merck to continue the development and large-scale manufacturing of investigational COVID-19 treatment
The U.S. Department of the Health and Human Services (@hhsgov) and the Department of Defense (DOD) jointly announced an agreement with Merck to support advanced development and large-scale manufacturing of the their investigational therapeutic MK-7110 to treat hospitalized patients with severe or critical COVID-19.
Vaccines
Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine FDA Fact Sheets and Information
On December 11, 2020, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (@US_FDA) issued the first emergency use authorization (EUA) for a vaccine for the prevention of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in individuals 16 years of age and older. The emergency use authorization allows the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine to be distributed in the U.S. View fact sheets and additional information provided by the FDA.
AMA statement on FDA authorization of first COVID-19 vaccine
Read the latest statement from Susan R. Bailey, M.D. President of the American Medical Association (@AmerMedicalAssn).
AMA Announces Additional CPT Codes for COVID-19 Vaccines
The American Medical Association announced that the Current Procedural Terminology (CPT®) code set is being updated by the CPT Editorial Panel to include immunization and administration codes that are unique to the COVID-19 vaccine under development by AstraZeneca and University of Oxford.
U.S. to send COVID-19 vaccine to pharmacies in hopes of speeding shots
Reuters reports that the United States plans to start distributing COVID-19 vaccines through pharmacies around the country earlier than expected this week as states have struggled to use the supply they have been allocated, top health officials said on Wednesday.
Pfizer vaccine appears to neutralize a key mutation of Covid variants found in UK, South Africa
CNBC reports that a coronavirus vaccine developed by Pfizer and BioNTech appears to be effective against a key mutation in the more infectious variants of the virus discovered in the U.K. and South Africa, according to a study conducted by the U.S. pharmaceutical giant.
Vaccine Administration
Find Your Place in the Vaccine Line
The NYT worked with the Surgo Foundation and Ariadne Labs using their vaccine tool to calculate the number of people who will need a vaccine in each state and county — and where you might fit in that line. Check it out and find out where you are in line.
Allscripts Moves Quickly to Support Clients in COVID-19 Vaccine Administration
Allscripts Healthcare Solutions (@Allscripts) is dedicating extensive resources to ensure its clients are prepared to maximize functionality within its solutions to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.
How are States Prioritizing Who Will Get the COVID-19 Vaccine First?
To see where states stand on prioritization, Kaiser Family Foundation (@kff) collected and reviewed all statements and releases from state officials that reference the criteria they will use to prioritize vaccines during Phase 1, as defined by ACIP.
Updox Releases New Vaccine Communications Package to Expedite Safe, Efficient Delivery of COVID-19 Vaccines
Updox (@updox), the only place to manage healthcare communications across both in-person and virtual care, announced the availability of a COVID-19 Vaccine Communications Package to facilitate safe, efficient delivery of the COVID-19 vaccine and effective patient engagement and communications surrounding distribution.
Top health organizations to help providers understand COVID-19 vaccination questions
According to the AMA, the Ad Council and the COVID Collaborative announced a new resource designed to address healthcare professionals’ questions about COVID-19 vaccination. The videos–which feature an introduction from Dr. Anthony Fauci–include experts from a diverse coalition of leading healthcare organizations and medical institutions sharing information around COVID-19 vaccine development and safety with their fellow physicians and nurses.
‘Still waiting for my turn’: Primary care doctors are being left behind in the vaccine rollout
STAT (@statnews) reports that only 23% of primary care clinicians know where they’ll get a vaccine from, according to a survey of more than 1,400 such doctors from Dec. 11 to 15 by the Larry A. Green Center with the Primary Care Collaborative.
HHS Announces $22 Billion in Funding to Support Expanded Testing, Vaccination Distribution
The Department of Health and Human Services (@HHSGov) announced two upcoming actions by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (@CDCgov) to provide more than $22 billion in funding to states, localities, and territories in support of the nation’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, as directed by the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act.
Testing
COVID-19 testing: One size does not fit all
Science Magazine reports that to combat COVID-19, the “one-size-fits-all” approach that has dominated and confused decision-making with regard to testing and the evaluation of tests is unsuitable: Diagnostics, screening, and surveillance serve different purposes, demand distinct strategies, and require separate approval mechanisms. By supporting the innovation, approval, manufacturing, and distribution of simpler and cheaper screening and surveillance tools, it will be possible to more effectively limit the spread of COVID-19 and respond to future pandemics.
Massachusetts is launching ‘pooled’ coronavirus testing for schools
Boston AP reports that Massachusetts is preparing to launch a pooled testing program in schools that aims to help expand monitoring for COVID-19 and encourage schools to remain open with students attending in person.
To Read
Study: U.S. ‘a long way’ from herd immunity despite number of COVID-19 cases from United Press International (@upi) – More than 60 million people in the United States may have been infected with the new coronavirus by mid-November, but that does not mean the population is nearing “herd immunity,” according to an analysis published Tuesday by JAMA Network Open.
Insurance Buyers Willing to Switch Carriers for Better Options in New COVID-19 Reality from Alexander Group – Alexander Group, a revenue growth management consulting firm that specializes in the health insurance industry, recently interviewed corporate health insurance buyers on their program expectations from carriers in the new COVID-19 reality. The results showed that carriers are no longer meeting buyer demands in the following five areas: work-from-home packages, case management tools, self-insurance assistance, wellness programs, and value-add, data-driven benefit options.
Clinical Trials
Large clinical trial will test combination monoclonal antibody therapy for mild/moderate COVID-19
NIH (@NIH) reports that a Phase 2/3 clinical trial has begun to evaluate a combination investigational monoclonal antibody therapy for its safety and efficacy in people who have mild or moderate COVID-19.
How Nine Covid-19 Vaccines Work
The New York Time reports that researchers are testing 64 coronavirus vaccines in clinical trials on humans. Here are explanations about how nine of the leading vaccines work.
To Listen
COVID-19 Episodes
We have compiled a playlist from all our shows and podcasts on our network that discuss the current COVID-19 pandemic.
COVID-19 Resources
HealthcareNOW Radio rounded up some health IT resources being offered by companies to help healthcare professionals, American citizens and all of those affected in the fight against the coronavirus.
COVID-19 Reports
We’ve rounded up some of the latest news and announcements pertaining to the coronavirus and the healthcare industry.
