Pharmacology/Pharmaceutical Industry
M-A: Association Between Administration of IL-6 Antagonists and Mortality Among Patients Hospitalized for COVID-19 – “The 4% absolute risk reduction in mortality from 25% to 21% with IL-6 inhibition added to glucocorticoids may not translate to patients with a lower baseline mortality risk and likely do not justify the additional expense and risk for toxicities for patients hospitalized with modest oxygen requirements and a stable clinical course (from editorial)”.
7 Jul, 2021 | 09:02h | UTCEditorial: IL-6 Receptor Antagonist Therapy for Patients Hospitalized for COVID-19: Who, When, and How? – JAMA
Commentaries: Interleukin-6 antagonists improve outcomes in hospitalised COVID-19 patients – King’s College London AND WHO advises 2 monoclonal antibodies for severe COVID – CIDRAP
Commentary on Twitter (thread – click for more)
1/n
Here we go –
Our paper assessing the role of interleukin-6 antagonists treatments in the management of COVID-19 patients?https://t.co/AJErHypx9a@WHO @jonathanasterne @diazjv @JAMA_current @KCLImmunoMicro @GSTT_ICU @GSTTresearch— Manu Shankar-Hari (@msh_manu) July 6, 2021
A living WHO guideline on drugs for covid-19 – interleukin-6 receptor blockers are now recommended for patients with severe or critical covid-19.
7 Jul, 2021 | 09:03h | UTCA living WHO guideline on drugs for covid-19 – The BMJ
Commentary on Twitter
The latest version of this @WHO living guidance provides a strong recommendation for interleukin-6 (IL-6) receptor blockers (tocilizumab or sarilumab) in patients with severe or critical covid-19. Read the updated WHO guideline on drugs for #COVID19 https://t.co/FUb9yzFRwo
— The BMJ (@bmj_latest) July 6, 2021
WHO recommends life-saving interleukin-6 receptor blockers for COVID-19 and urges producers to join efforts to rapidly increase access – “These are the first drugs found to be effective against COVID-19 since corticosteroids were recommended by WHO in September 2020”.
7 Jul, 2021 | 09:00h | UTC
Commentary on Twitter (thread – click for more)
? treatment recommendation from WHO:
WHO recommends life-saving interleukin-6 receptor blockers to treat #COVID19 and urges producers to join efforts to rapidly increase access.?https://t.co/h4IcZad2VA pic.twitter.com/YXPkuBVwY4
— World Health Organization (WHO) (@WHO) July 6, 2021
RCOG Guidance: Coronavirus (COVID-19) Vaccination in Pregnancy.
7 Jul, 2021 | 08:53h | UTCCoronavirus (COVID-19) Vaccination in Pregnancy – Royal College of Obstetricians & Gynaecologists
See also: Resources and FAQs – Royal College of Obstetricians & Gynaecologists
Commentary on Twitter
We have published an interim update to the main coronavirus and pregnancy guidance to summarise the guidance on COVID-19 vaccination and pregnancy. Find out more: https://t.co/2YDyZFrVWJ pic.twitter.com/KnwXDvZls2
— RoyalCollegeObsGyn (@RCObsGyn) July 1, 2021
RCT: Cardiovascular and renal outcomes with Efpeglenatide (a GLP-1 receptor agonist) in Type 2 Diabetes.
7 Jul, 2021 | 08:45h | UTC
RCT: Daratumumab-based treatment for immunoglobulin light-chain amyloidosis.
7 Jul, 2021 | 08:44h | UTC
RCT: An antibiotic-prescribing feedback to high-volume primary care physicians led to significant reductions in total and prolonged-duration antibiotic prescriptions, as well as drug costs.
7 Jul, 2021 | 08:47h | UTCEffect of Antibiotic-Prescribing Feedback to High-Volume Primary Care Physicians on Number of Antibiotic Prescriptions: A Randomized Clinical Trial – JAMA Internal Medicine (free for a limited period)
Commentary: Studies highlight impact of clinician feedback on antibiotic prescribing – CIDRAP
Commentary on Twitter (thread – click for more)
We conducted a randomized controlled trial of providing antibiotic prescribing feedback to high volume primary care physicians in Ontario, ?? https://t.co/zmF2tvJ5n5
— Kevin Schwartz (@DrKevinSchwartz) July 6, 2021
Opinion | Fractionation of COVID-19 vaccine doses could extend limited supplies and reduce mortality.
6 Jul, 2021 | 10:18h | UTC
Commentary on Twitter
For accelerating global containment, the use of lower doses of vaccines, w/ potential for =/high efficacy, should be considered, by @bencowling88 @sarahcobey @NatureMedicine https://t.co/H4YtnJEsdR
Also applies to @moderna_tx https://t.co/K0yJMirXFhhttps://t.co/8k7PGOp43s pic.twitter.com/ptCA1VtKzD— Eric Topol (@EricTopol) July 5, 2021
RCT: Ivermectin does not prevent hospitalizations in patients with COVID-19.
6 Jul, 2021 | 10:16h | UTCCommentary: Ivermectin: balance of evidence shows no significant benefit against Covid-19 – MSN News
Related: Ivermectin for the treatment of COVID-19: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials – “IVM did not reduce all-cause mortality, length of stay or viral clearance in RCTs in COVID-19 patients with mostly mild disease”. AND Ivermectin is the new hydroxychloroquine, take 2 – “Ivermectin shouldn’t be used to treat COVID-19 outside of the context of a well-designed clinical trial”. AND Therapeutics and COVID-19 | WHO guideline update advises Ivermectin should only be used to treat COVID-19 within clinical trials AND RCT: Ivermectin does not improve time to resolution of symptoms among adults with mild COVID-19
Choosing Wisely for COVID-19: ten evidence-based recommendations for patients and physicians.
6 Jul, 2021 | 10:21h | UTC
Editorial | Do not just sit there, do something … but do no harm: the worrying aspects of COVID-19 experimental interventions.
6 Jul, 2021 | 10:14h | UTC
Commentary on Twitter
Shortcutting science perpetuates ineffective/unsafe treatments: with #COVID19 plethora of interventions (most next-to-no basis/inconsistent effects) trialled or given on compassionate grounds regardless risks. Will mistakes be acknowledged & lessons learnt?https://t.co/p53WyeMLEC pic.twitter.com/zUwlML8Pft
— Intens Care Med (@yourICM) July 5, 2021
Guideline | Hydroxychloroquine and Chloroquine Retinopathy: Recommendations on Monitoring.
6 Jul, 2021 | 10:03h | UTCExecutive summary: Hydroxychloroquine and Chloroquine Retinopathy: Recommendations on Monitoring – Royal College of Ophthalmologists
M-A: The efficacy of systemic glucocorticosteroids for pain in rheumatoid arthritis.
6 Jul, 2021 | 09:54h | UTC
WHO challenges Pfizer and Moderna to openly share their know-how to accelerate COVID vaccine production.
5 Jul, 2021 | 02:36h | UTC
Joint COVAX Statement on the Equal Recognition of Vaccines – COVAX urges all government authorities to recognize as fully vaccinated all people who have received COVID-19 vaccines that have been deemed safe and effective by WHO.
5 Jul, 2021 | 02:39h | UTCJoint COVAX Statement on the Equal Recognition of Vaccines – World Health Organization
Commentary on Twitter (thread – click for more)
#COVAX urges all government authorities to recognize as fully vaccinated all who have received #COVID19 vaccines approved by WHO or one of 11 approved Stringent Regulatory Authorities, when making decisions on who is able to travel or attend events.
?https://t.co/udYVrYTdMg pic.twitter.com/DihCPUmS8F
— World Health Organization (WHO) (@WHO) July 1, 2021
Opinion | Covid is a greater risk to young people than the vaccines.
5 Jul, 2021 | 02:34h | UTCCovid Is a Greater Risk to Young People Than the Vaccines – The New York Times
Counterpoint: Weighing myocarditis cases, ACIP failed to balance the harms vs benefits of 2nd doses – by Wesley Pegden AND Vaccine-Induced Myocarditis Concerns Demand Respect, Not Absolutism – Medscape (free registration required)
Commentary on Twitter
“Realize the choice is not ‘vaccinate or do nothing.’ It’s ‘vaccinate or eventually contract the coronavirus,’ and the risks that come with it.”
My latest with @celinegounder and @EMDocinTraining@NYTOpinion @acsifferlin https://t.co/wGugCuWgSs
— Jeremy Faust MD MS (ER physician) (@jeremyfaust) July 4, 2021
Russia pushes ahead with open license approach to Sputnik V – despite WHO concerns over manufacturing practices.
5 Jul, 2021 | 02:35h | UTC
Roundup on Covid vaccines | A Big Hit, A Big Miss, & Mixed Vaccine Schedules: The 18-Month Mark.
5 Jul, 2021 | 02:31h | UTCA Big Hit, A Big Miss, & Mixed Vaccine Schedules: The 18-Month Mark – Absolutely Maybe Blog
Commentary on Twitter
My latest roundup on Covid vax: a big hit, a big miss, & mixed vaccine schedules. 15 vaxes with phase 3 results coming up to the 18-month mark! More than 20 controlled community impact studies now, & lots on immunocompromise | New @PLOS https://t.co/HEsuFc4af3 #IC
— Hilda Bastian, PhD (@hildabast) July 2, 2021
Why Covid-19 outbreaks in countries using Chinese vaccines don’t necessarily mean the shots have failed.
5 Jul, 2021 | 02:30h | UTC
What are the Sinopharm and Sinovac vaccines? And how effective are they? Two experts explain.
5 Jul, 2021 | 02:28h | UTC
Proof-of-concept trial: A Transglutaminase 2 inhibitor attenuated gluten-induced duodenal mucosal damage in patients with celiac disease.
5 Jul, 2021 | 01:56h | UTCCommentary: NEJM: First Effective Non-Dietary Treatment Of Celiac Disease – MedicalResearch
Germany issues world’s strongest recommendation for mixing Covid-19 vaccines.
5 Jul, 2021 | 02:27h | UTCGermany issues world’s strongest recommendation for mixing Covid-19 vaccines – CNN
Aspirin and cancer survival: a systematic review and meta-analyses of 118 observational studies of aspirin and 18 cancers.
5 Jul, 2021 | 01:42h | UTCCommentaries: Expert reaction to review and analysis of observational studies on aspirin and cancer survival – Science Media Centre AND Major review of studies: Aspirin could cut risk of death in cancer patients by 20% – Cardiff University
“It is randomized trials that provide definitive evidence to consider changes to clinical practice. The results of this review provide impetus for cancer patients to consider participation in these trials” (from Science Media Centre)
Antipsychotic Polypharmacy for the Management of Schizophrenia: Evidence and Recommendations.
5 Jul, 2021 | 01:30h | UTCAntipsychotic Polypharmacy for the Management of Schizophrenia: Evidence and Recommendations – Drugs
[Preprint] Mixing Covid jabs has good immune response, study finds – “The Com-Cov trial looked at the efficacy of either two doses of Pfizer, two of AstraZeneca, or one of them followed by the other. All combinations worked well, priming the immune system”.
2 Jul, 2021 | 11:47h | UTCMixing Covid jabs has good immune response, study finds – BBC