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Pharmacology/Pharmaceutical Industry

Access to cancer medicines deemed essential by oncologists in 82 countries: an international, cross-sectional survey.

25 Nov, 2021 | 10:23h | UTC

Access to cancer medicines deemed essential by oncologists in 82 countries: an international, cross-sectional survey – The Lancet Oncology

Commentaries:

Access to and affordability of cancer medicines: time to focus on the last mile – The Lancet Oncology

Choosing Wisely, Researchers Look at Access to Essential Cancer Drugs on a Global Scale – The ASCO Post

Related: WHO prioritizes access to diabetes and cancer treatments in new Essential Medicines Lists.

 

Promoting COVID-19 vaccine acceptance: recommendations from the Lancet Commission on Vaccine Refusal, Acceptance, and Demand in the USA.

24 Nov, 2021 | 08:47h | UTC

Promoting COVID-19 vaccine acceptance: recommendations from the Lancet Commission on Vaccine Refusal, Acceptance, and Demand in the USA – The Lancet

Related: WHO Guidance for improving acceptance and uptake of COVID-19 vaccines

 

Safety analysis of RCTs showed Alzheimer’s drug Aducanumab caused brain swelling in 35% of patients, and 26.0% experienced associated symptoms (e.g., headache, confusion, dizziness, and nausea).

24 Nov, 2021 | 08:35h | UTC

Amyloid-Related Imaging Abnormalities in 2 Phase 3 Studies Evaluating Aducanumab in Patients With Early Alzheimer Disease – JAMA Neurology

Commentary: Biogen Alzheimer’s drug shows brain swelling in 35% of patients – MedicalXpress

 

Commentary on Twitter

 

Three Neurologic Societies, Including the AAN, Issue Strong Position Statement on Aducanumab.

24 Nov, 2021 | 08:36h | UTC

Three Neurologic Societies, Including the AAN, Issue Strong Position Statement on Aducanumab – Neurology Today

See statement: Decisions With Patients and Families Regarding Aducanumab in Alzheimer Disease, With Recommendations for Consent: AAN Position Statement – Neurology

Related:

Editorial: Aducanumab for Alzheimer’s disease?

FDA approvement of Alzheimer’s drug sparks controversy among doctors.

 

Commentary on Twitter

 

Systematic Review: Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) for stroke recovery.

24 Nov, 2021 | 08:22h | UTC

Summary: Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors for stroke recovery – Cochrane Library

Original Article: Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) for stroke recovery – Cochrane Library

Related:

RCT: Routine treatment with fluoxetine does not reduce the incidence of depression after stroke.

[Abstract Only] Randomized trial: Fluoxetine does not improve functional recovery after acute stroke

Randomized Trial: Effects of Fluoxetine on Functional Outcomes After Acute Stroke

 

Commentary on Twitter

 

[Preprint] Systematic Review: Duration of Effectiveness of Vaccines Against SARS-CoV-2 Infection and COVID-19 Disease – “effectiveness against COVID-19 severe disease remained high (>70%) in most studies in the six months after full vaccination, although it did decrease some (on average, 8-10 percentage points) between one and six months after full vaccination”.

23 Nov, 2021 | 08:57h | UTC

Duration of Effectiveness of Vaccines Against SARS-CoV-2 Infection and COVID-19 Disease: Results of a Systematic Review and Meta-Regression – Preprints with The Lancet – SSRN

Related:

Correlation of SARS-CoV-2-breakthrough infections to time-from-vaccine.

China’s COVID vaccines have been crucial — now immunity is waning.

[Preprint] Breakthrough SARS-CoV-2 infections in 620,000 U.S. Veterans, February 1, 2021 to August 13, 2021 – “Vaccine protection declined by mid-August 2021, decreasing from 91.9% in March to 53.9%”.

Observational study in Qatar showed the effectiveness of Pfizer vaccine against any SARS-CoV-2 infection dropped to 20% in months 5 through 7 after the second dose, but effectiveness against severe Covid-19 remained high.

Cohort study: Pfizer vaccine effectiveness against any infections declined from 88% during the first month after full vaccination to 47% after 5 months. Vaccine effectiveness against hospital admissions remained high; 87% within 1 month, and 88% at 5 months after full vaccination, with no significant waning.

Editorial | Covid-19 vaccination: evidence of waning immunity is overstated.

COVID vaccine immunity is waning — how much does that matter? – “As debates about booster shots heat up, what’s known about the duration of vaccine-based immunity is still evolving”.

COVID vaccine effects wane over time but still prevent death and severe illness.

Perspective | What we actually know about waning immunity.

Another study shows Pfizer mRNA vaccine immunity is reduced over time.

[Press release – not published yet] Study shows vaccine protection wanes over time, but vaccines still offer good protection against severe disease.

Studies: COVID vaccine protection waning against infection but not hospitalization.

 

Systematic Review: Vaccines for preventing rotavirus diarrhea.

24 Nov, 2021 | 08:20h | UTC

Vaccines for preventing rotavirus diarrhoea: vaccines in use – Cochrane Library

Summary: Are rotavirus vaccines safe and effective in preventing rotavirus diarrhoea in infants and children? – Cochrane Library

Commentary: Vaccines for preventing rotavirus diarrhoea: an updated Cochrane review – Cochrane Library

 

Populational study in France did not show an increased incidence of acute myocardial infarction, stroke, and pulmonary embolism following the Pfizer vaccine.

23 Nov, 2021 | 08:51h | UTC

Myocardial Infarction, Stroke, and Pulmonary Embolism After BNT162b2 mRNA COVID-19 Vaccine in People Aged 75 Years or Older – JAMA

 

M-A: Colchicine doesn’t lessen COVID-19 severity or stave off risk of death.

23 Nov, 2021 | 08:55h | UTC

News release: Gout drug colchicine doesn’t lessen COVID-19 severity or stave off risk of death – BMJ

Original Study: Efficacy and safety of colchicine in COVID-19: a meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials – RMD Open

Related:

RECOVERY Trial: In patients admitted to hospital with COVID-19, Colchicine did not reduce 28-day mortality, duration of hospital stay, or risk of progressing to invasive mechanical ventilation or death.

[Preprint] PRINCIPLE RCT: Colchicine does not improve time to recovery in outpatients with Covid-19 at higher risk of complications.

COLCORONA RCT: Colchicine for community-treated patients with COVID-19 – findings suggest it may lower death and hospital admission rates, but further studies are required.

[Preprint] RECOVERY Trial: Colchicine does not improve outcomes in patients admitted to hospital with COVID-19.

 

In a survey of about 27,600 U.S. individuals, 18.5% of adults with hypertension used medications that may raise blood pressure; the most commonly reported classes were antidepressants, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, steroids, and estrogens.

23 Nov, 2021 | 08:33h | UTC

Prevalence of Medications That May Raise Blood Pressure Among Adults With Hypertension in the United States – JAMA Internal Medicine (free for a limited period)

 

Commentary from the author on Twitter (thread – click for more)

M-A: Antiemetics for adults for prevention of nausea and vomiting caused by moderately or highly emetogenic chemotherapy.

23 Nov, 2021 | 08:21h | UTC

Antiemetics for adults for prevention of nausea and vomiting caused by moderately or highly emetogenic chemotherapy: a network meta‐analysis – Cochrane Library

Summary: Which drug combinations are best for prevention of nausea and vomiting caused by chemotherapy in adults with cancer? – Cochrane Library

 

Antibiotic Awareness: a round-up of Cochrane evidence.

23 Nov, 2021 | 08:23h | UTC

Antibiotic Awareness: a round-up of Cochrane evidence – Cochrane Library

 

Commentary on Twitter

 

United States FDA clears COVID vaccine boosters for all adults over 18 – Pfizer & Moderna 6 months after second jab.

21 Nov, 2021 | 23:17h | UTC

United States FDA Clears COVID Vaccine Boosters for All Adults Over 18 – Pfizer & Moderna 6 Months After Second Jab – Health Policy Watch

See also:

FDA expands emergency authorization for Covid-19 booster shots to all adults – STAT

FDA, CDC advisors approve COVID boosters for all US adults – CIDRAP

FDA Approves Both Pfizer, Moderna Boosters for All Adults – HealthDay

 

Recent updates in antimicrobial stewardship in outpatient parenteral antimicrobial therapy.

23 Nov, 2021 | 08:15h | UTC

Recent Updates in Antimicrobial Stewardship in Outpatient Parenteral Antimicrobial Therapy – Current Infectious Disease Reports

 

[Not published yet] Single-dose HPV vaccine highly effective, researchers say – “Results of randomized controlled trial in Kenya bring new energy to eliminate cervical cancer worldwide”.

21 Nov, 2021 | 22:56h | UTC

Single-dose HPV vaccine highly effective, researchers say – University of Washington School of Medicine

Related:

A national HPV vaccination program in England was associated with an estimated reduction in cervical cancer rates of 87% for those offered the vaccine at age 12–13 years.

Three-year follow-up of 2-dose versus 3-dose HPV vaccine

Nationwide cohort study in Sweden shows HPV vaccination linked to reduced risk of invasive cervical cancer

CDC: 92% of Human Papillomavirus–Attributable Cancers can be Targeted by HPV Vaccination

Meta-Analysis: Population-level Impact of HPV Vaccination Programs

 

RECOVERY Trial: Aspirin as an add-on therapy did not reduce mortality in patients hospitalized with COVID-19.

19 Nov, 2021 | 11:01h | UTC

Aspirin in patients admitted to hospital with COVID-19 (RECOVERY): a randomised, controlled, open-label, platform trial – The Lancet

Invited Commentary: Studying the coagulopathy of COVID-19 – The Lancet

 

Commentary from the author on Twitter (thread – click for more)

 

Editorial: COVID-19 vaccines for children – “Although it is true that most children experience asymptomatic or mild disease, some will get quite sick, and a small number will die. It’s why children are vaccinated against influenza, meningitis, chickenpox, and hepatitis”.

19 Nov, 2021 | 10:57h | UTC

COVID-19 vaccines for children – Science

Related: Review: Should children under 12 years of age be vaccinated against COVID-19?

 

Commentary on Twitter

 

Opinion: With 128 Covid vaccines in clinical development, we don’t know if the approved/authorized ones are the best ones.

19 Nov, 2021 | 10:45h | UTC

With 128 Covid vaccines in clinical development, we don’t know if the approved/authorized ones are the best ones – STAT

 

AAP Clinical Report: Biologics for Asthma and Allergic Skin Diseases in Children.

19 Nov, 2021 | 10:34h | UTC

Biologics for Asthma and Allergic Skin Diseases in Children – Pediatrics

 

M-A: Intravenous iron is associated with increased risk of infection when compared with oral iron or no iron, which must be balanced with the potential benefits of reducing blood transfusion requirements.

19 Nov, 2021 | 10:31h | UTC

Risk of Infection Associated With Administration of Intravenous Iron: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis – JAMA Network Open

Invited Commentary: Intravenous Iron and Infection Risk—Still an Unanswered Question – JAMA Network Open

 

Commentary on Twitter

 

Review: Should children under 12 years of age be vaccinated against COVID-19?

18 Nov, 2021 | 08:56h | UTC

Should children be vaccinated against COVID-19? – Archives of Disease in Childhood

 

Commentary from the author on Twitter (thread – click for more)

 

Covid: Children in UK told to delay jab for 12 weeks after infection.

18 Nov, 2021 | 08:54h | UTC

Covid: Children told to delay jab for 12 weeks after infection – BBC

Original Report: Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) advice on COVID-19 vaccination in people aged 16 to 17 years: 15 November 2021

 

Observational study finds mRNA vaccination is associated with an effectiveness of 85% against Covid-19 hospitalization.

18 Nov, 2021 | 08:49h | UTC

Association Between mRNA Vaccination and COVID-19 Hospitalization and Disease Severity – JAMA

Editorial: Understanding Breakthrough Infections Following mRNA SARS-CoV-2 Vaccination – JAMA

Commentary: COVID-19 vaccines 85% effective against hospital cases but weaken over time – TCTMD

Related Study: Study compares the decline in effectiveness for Moderna, Pfizer, and Janssen vaccines and consequences for mortality.

 

8 lingering questions about the new Covid pills from Merck and Pfizer.

18 Nov, 2021 | 08:46h | UTC

8 lingering questions about the new Covid pills from Merck and Pfizer – STAT

Related:

COVID antiviral pills: what scientists still want to know – “Drugs like Molnupiravir and Paxlovid could change the course of the pandemic if clinical trial results hold up in the real world”.

[Press release – not published yet] RCT: Pfizer’s novel Covid-19 oral antiviral treatment candidate reduced risk of hospitalization or death by 89% in interim analysis of phase 2/3 EPIC-HR study.

A prominent virologist warns new COVID-19 pill could unleash dangerous mutants. Others see little cause for alarm.

The U.K. approves Merck’s COVID-19 antiviral pill, calling it a world first.

Merck to allow other nations to produce new COVID-19 antiviral.

Video: Merck’s Covid pill could transform treatment. Here’s how it works.

How antiviral pill Molnupiravir shot ahead in the COVID drug hunt.

What we know — and don’t know — about Merck’s new Covid-19 pill.

[Press release – not published yet] Merck announces oral antiviral Molnupiravir reduced the risk of hospitalization or death by approximately 50 Percent compared to placebo for patients with mild or moderate COVID-19.

Merck’s Covid-19 pill is great news but may not be a game-changer.

Video | A Pill For COVID? A Doctor Explains Molnupiravir.

 

The big questions about Covid-19 booster shots – “From the why to the who, we still need a lot of answers about booster shots”.

17 Nov, 2021 | 08:48h | UTC

The big questions about Covid-19 booster shots – Vox

 

Commentary on Twitter

 

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