Transcending boundaries: the role of pharmacists in gender identity services
There has been a surge in demand for gender identity services in the UK over the past five years. Although the current role of pharmacists is limited, their potential contribution within a multidisciplinary team supporting transgender patients is beginning to emerge.
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COVID-19 updates: 5 April 2020 – 30 April 2020
All the most important developments in the COVID-19 pandemic for pharmacists and their teams, as they happen.
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Community pharmacies need £200m extra to stay afloat during COVID-19, trade body warns
Community pharmacies need millions of pounds extra “to keep their heads above water” during the COVID-19 pandemic, pharmacy bodies have warned.
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Pharmacists will not be automatically included in government COVID-19 life assurance scheme
Pharmacists will not be automatically eligible for a new government life assurance scheme for healthcare workers in England who die from COVID-19 during the pandemic.
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Pharmacy staff who have died during COVID-19 pandemic to be remembered during minute's silence
Pharmacy staff who are thought to have died as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic are to be among the healthcare workers remembered with a minute’s silence on 28 April 2020.
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Apixaban may be more effective and safer than rivaroxaban, research suggests
Adults with non-valvular atrial fibrillation prescribed apixaban have a lower rate of ischaemic stroke and systemic blood clots compared with those prescribed rivaroxaban, according to a retrospective cohort study in Annals of Internal Medicine.
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Manufacturers report 'sporadic' resupply of sertraline following COVID-19 related shortage
Supplies of the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, sertraline, are returning to stock after manufacturers reported “industry-wide” supply challenges, exacerbated by export bans and border closures implemented as a result of COVID-19.
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Care home pharmacists redeployed, despite COVID-19 palliative care increase
Exclusive: Pharmacy staff in care homes are being redeployed to cover other roles during the COVID-19 pandemic, even though demands on care homes are increasing rapidly, The Pharmaceutical Journal has learnt.
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Neurological symptoms common in COVID-19 patients, researchers say
Neurological symptoms are common in patients with COVID-19, particularly if they have a severe infection, research published in JAMA Neurology suggests.
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Myocardial injury associated with increased risk of death from COVID-19, research suggests
The development of myocardial injury in COVID-19 patients is associated with an increased risk of death, researchers have found.
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One in three pharmacists unable to access PPE, finds RPS survey
A third of pharmacists cannot obtain continuous supplies of personal protective equipment, according to a survey conducted by the Royal Pharmaceutical Society.
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Pharmacies' dispensing increases by up to a third as a result of COVID-19, survey finds
Pharmacies dispensed approximately 35% more prescriptions in March 2020, compared with the previous month, according to a survey by the National Pharmacy Association.
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Supplies of some COVID-19 medicines to run out within days, government warns
Supplies of certain drugs used when intubating patients with COVID-19 will run out “over the coming days”, the government has warned.
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Menarini set to acquire Stemline for $677m
Menarini adds Stemlineâs lead product, Elzonris, and its presence in the US with buyout deal.
Alexion in $1.4bn buyout for reversal agent
Alexion agrees deal for Portola to gain access to its lead product, Andexxa, a treatment that counteracts anticoagulants.
How to prevent another COVID-19? ‘Invest in infrastructure’
CEO of Berkeley Lights talks about the companyâs work to identify antibodies against COVID-19 and what the long-term picture looks like.
Sanofi insulin biosimilar close to European entrance
Sanofiâs insulin aspart biosimilar receives positive opinion from the EMAâs CHMP.
Lonza and Moderna shoot for billion COVID-19 vaccine doses
Moderna announces it has partnered with Lonza with the aim of producing one billion doses annually.
Ajinomoto to produce potential COVID-19 treatment for CytoDyn
Ajinomoto agrees partnership to manufacture leronlimab, which is currently undergoing clinical trials for the treatment of COVID-19.
Pfizer’s $308m buy-in for Lyme disease vaccine
Pfizer partners with Valneva to progress Phase II-stage vaccine candidate for Lyme disease.
Immunomedics closes $459m stock offering to launch drug, scale manufacture
April saw the company add new CEO, receive approval for lead ADC drug, and launch a public offering of stock.
COVID-19 vaccine in one year ‘wishful thinking’
The likelihood of an effective vaccine being developed and scaled up in less than 12 months is unrealistic, suggests GlobalData analyst.
Catalent takes on manufacture of J&J’s coronavirus vaccine
Catalent announces partnership with J&J to manufacture lead COVID-19 vaccine candidate, plans to hire 300 staff and manufacture 24/7.
AZ and Oxford University partner to develop coronavirus vaccine
Under the agreement, AZ will develop, manufacture and distribute the vaccine that has already begun Phase I trials.
Hired & Retired: Changes amid COVID-19
As the industry shifts gears to combat the novel coronavirus, a number of leadership changes have taken place.
World leaders work on $8bn vaccine fund effort
The WHO and world leaders commit to a fund to accelerate development of vaccines, tests and treatments for COVID-19.
Sanofi receives FDA approval for quadrivalent meningococcal vaccine
The company receives approval for MenQuadfi to prevent meningococcal disease.
AskBio buys BrainVectis for early-stage gene therapies
AskBio acquires gene therapy biotech working on treatments for neurodegenerative disorders.
Takeda agrees license to strengthen plasma pipeline
Takeda in global licensing agreement with ProThera to develop plasma-based therapies for inflammatory conditions.
J&J strikes CDMO deal to add capacity for COVID-19 vaccine
J&J agrees a manufacturing partnership with Emergent, as it looks to hit its target of one billion doses.
Mogrify and Sangamo in license agreement for ‘off-the-shelf’ CAR-Treg
Sangamo plans to utilize Mogrifyâs cell conversion technology to develop CAR-Treg cell therapies.
MilliporeSigma set to build $100m facility for viral and gene therapies
The facility will be the companyâs second facility in Carlsbad specifically for its BioReliance viral and gene therapy service.
Director of BARDA leaves position amid pandemic
Rick Bright confirmed as having left his position as director of BARDA as the agency provides aid to develop solutions for COVID-19.
New Bipartisan ChiPACC Act Provides Better Medicaid Coverage to Children in Need
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Five lawmakers introduced a bipartisan bill giving a full range of medical services to families with children who have life-limiting illnesses and who qualify for Medicaid, which currently has gaps in such coverage.
The Children’s Program of All-Inclusive Coordinated Care (ChiPACC) Act (H.R. 6560) would let states create comprehensive care programs for these children. Its authors are the Co-Chairs of the Congressional Childhood Cancer Caucus: Representatives Michael McCaul (R-TX), Jackie Speier (D-CA), G.K. Butterfield (D-NC), and Mike Kelly (R-PA), together with Representative Diana DeGette (D-CO), a senior member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee.
“Families with children facing life-limiting illnesses need all the support they can get, and they should be empowered to seek out that support,” the bill’s sponsors said in a joint statement. “We owe it to these kids and their loved ones to help ensure more compassionate care in their most trying times.”
Gaps in Medicaid coverage of hospice and palliative services have deprived many beneficiaries of the care they need because the program does not cover some of children’s unique medical needs.
Under this bill, the family of every child who qualifies for Medicaid will receive a specialized care plan covering a range of services – palliative, counseling, respite, expressive therapy and bereavement – providing them and their families greater comfort and peace of mind.
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STAR Act Heads to President’s Desk
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Co-Chairs of the Childhood Cancer Caucus, Reps. Michael McCaul (R-TX), Jackie Speier (D-CA), Mike Kelly (R-PA), and G. K. Butterfield (D-NC), applaud the passage of the Senate companion to their bill – S. 292, the Childhood Cancer STAR Act.
The STAR Act passed the House today by a unanimous vote. It addresses the four major concerns facing the pediatric cancer community: Survivorship, Treatment, Access, and Research, and will elevate and prioritize the fight against childhood cancer at the National Institute of Health (NIH).
The members released the following joint statement:
"Today was a long anticipated day for the pediatric cancer community, and one to be celebrated. This bill is the most comprehensive childhood cancer bill to ever pass Congress and will finally head to the president’s desk to be signed into law. Childhood cancer remains one of the deadliest killers of our kids and we as a Congress, and a nation, must say, ‘Enough is enough.’ As co-chairs of the Childhood Cancer Caucus, we would like to thank all those who made this possible, including the Alliance for Childhood Cancer and the entire childhood cancer advocacy community.”
Click here to watch McCaul’s floor remarks ahead of the House passage of the STAR Act.
Libtayo® (cemiplimab) shows clinically meaningful and durable responses in second-line advanced basal cell carcinoma
Objective responses seen in 29% of patients with locally advanced basal cell carcinoma (BCC)
Phase 3 trial of Libtayo® (cemiplimab) as monotherapy for first-line advanced non-small cell lung cancer stopped early due to highly significant improvement in overall survival
- Libtayo decreased the risk of death by 32.4% compared to chemotherapy
Sanofi and Regeneron provide update on U.S. Phase 2/3 adaptive-designed trial in hospitalized COVID-19 patients
• Independent Data Monitoring Committee recommended continuing ongoing Phase 3 trial only in the more advanced “critical” group with Kevzara higher-dose versus placebo and discontinuing less advanced “severe” group
FDA approves MenQuadfiTM, the latest innovation in meningococcal (MenACWY) vaccination
Latest innovation in quadrivalent meningococcal vaccination designed for use in persons 2 years of age and older in the U.S.
APEC Ministers Responsible for Trade Issue Statement on COVID-19
Trade Ministers agree to work together towards a healthy, resilient and inclusive Asia-Pacific community.
Promoting Trade in Medical Goods Will Save Lives
Medical supplies and personal protective products are facing barriers worldwide