Coronavirus

Pharmacy Times® interviewed Amy Snyder, a member at Eckert Seamans Cherin & Mellott, on the implications for pharmacy of mandated COVID-19 vaccinations in higher education institutions.

Just as pharmacists have been on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic, Kristen Lund, CPhT, a technician at Hy-Vee Pharmacy in Harlan, Iowa, said technicians have taken on greater responsibilities and have become more involved in patient care.

Community pharmacists should consider leaning on their specialty pharmacist peers, where available, as we continue to navigate the new, more virtual normal and attempt to expand these types of services in the future.

According to the researchers, this vaccine was developed using an innovative approach that may eventually open the door to a universal vaccine for coronaviruses, including coronaviruses that previously threatened pandemics or those that cause some cases of the common cold.

The vaccine that could provide protection against existing and future strains of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

Patients with COVID-19 and obesity were more likely to require oxygen and had a 73% greater change of requiring invasive mechanical ventilation.

Pharmacy Times® interviewed Dennis O’Neill, president and board member of Biomedican, to discuss how providers are looking to psychedelic medicine to treat certain mental health disorders.

Pharmacy technicians should consider becoming certified immunizers to help with this essential task.

CVS Pharmacy has announced the availability of 3 OTC COVID-19 testing options in stores and online.

The test received FDA emergency use authorization for OTC, non-prescription, asymptomatic use for the detection of COVID-19 infection on March 31, 2021.

Long-term societal and economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic have promoted urgent responses in many sectors, which could lead to real-world efforts to improve prevention of chronic health conditions.

Pharmaceutical companies have already begun developing these boosters, and Haydock said he expects to see some variant-specific vaccines available by mid-2021.

The duration for body temperature normalization, oxygen saturation, and mechanical ventilation were significantly shorter for patients who received IVIG in addition to standard of care (SOC) when compared to those only receiving SOC.

Technology is key in supporting and freeing up time for pharmacists to meet vaccination efforts and increased demands in providing community care.

Lakesha M. Butler, PharmD, BCPS, diversity and inclusion coordinator and clinical professor at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, discussed causes of health inequity and how pharmacists can prevent and mitigate them to improve patient outcomes.

Before the COVID-19 pandemic, pharmacy technicians spent most of their shifts helping patients, billing insurance, stocking the pharmacy area, dispensing prescriptions, and other administrative duties. However, COVID-19 quickly changed that.

Errors related to extended-release opioids and COVID-19 vaccines warrant attention and should be a priority.

Nearly half of independent pharmacists surveyed by the National Community Pharmacists Association are not getting enough or any doses of the COVID-19 vaccine.

As the FDA and CDC have paused use of the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine in the United States, research is ongoing to understand whether cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST) is directly linked to the vaccine.

The FDA and CDC said that 6 women experienced cerebral venous thrombosis, an extremely rare disorder associated with blood clotting, 6 to 16 days after the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine was administered.

The pharmacist is the last barrier between a patient and a drug, which is why it's critical for pharmacists to check for allergies, potential drug interactions, patient understanding of how to use the drug, and whether the prescription is appropriate for the diagnosis.

COVID-19 has increased the demand for new, safer curbside conveniences and the health care industry—including the pharmacy—has transformed rapidly to meet patient needs and prioritize safety as a result of the pandemic.

The most common reason given for refusal of a COVID-19 vaccine was distrust of the health care system, correctional or government personnel, and institutions.

Indicators of the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact, including testing rates, positivity ratio, case rates by overall population, and deaths, are clustered by neighborhood, with low-income and predominantly minority communities experiencing worse outcomes.

Based on their findings and considering the small size and portability of the test, the investigators said it could be used for fast virus detection in schools and airports.

Patricia Stinchfield, the president-elect of National Foundation for Infectious Diseases, discusses the recommended framework for vaccine messaging for leaders across sectors.

For the study, the research team modeled COVID-19 transmission rates and the optimal allocation of an initially limited vaccine supply in the United States under a variety of scenarios.

Two-thirds of surveyed physicians said patients are presenting with more late-stage cancers, with 73% saying patients in their practice are not receiving screenings.

Hager Hanon, PharmD, RPh, senior pharmacist at Community Care Rx, discusses COVID-19 vaccination hesitancy among pregnant women and people with a history of anaphylaxis.

Further, the findings indicate that rapid screens can predict infection with nearly the same precision as antibody tests conducted in a lab, which could be useful for providers.