Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Antiviral Drugs Arrive In Pharmacies, But Few Seem To Want Them
CIDRAP: Eagerly Awaited COVID Lifesavers Molnupiravir, Paxlovid Now Wait For Patients
Supplies of the eagerly awaited oral COVID-19 antiviral prescription medications are slowly arriving at US pharmacies, but despite strong evidence that they can help reduce symptoms and prevent severe illness, federal data and experts suggest that many patients don't know about them or don't want to take them. Two oral COVID-19 antiviral medications, molnupiravir (Merck) and Paxlovid (nirmatrelvir and ritonavir, Pfizer), have been proven to be safe, effective, and convenient treatments to take at home. (Van Beusekom, 2/11)
Stat: New Monoclonal Expands Arsenal Of Options Against Omicron And Sister
The Food and Drug Administration on Friday authorized another Covid-19 monoclonal antibody treatment, which will expand the supply of such treatments that work against the Omicron variant and its sister viruses. The therapy, bebtelovimab, was developed by Eli Lilly. Like other monoclonals, it’s given intravenously and is meant to keep high-risk patients with Covid-19 from getting so sick they need to be hospitalized. The federal government on Thursday announced it had struck a deal with Lilly to purchase 600,000 courses of the treatment for at least $720 million. Shipments were expected to start imminently, with 300,000 courses arriving this month and another 300,000 next month. The contract includes an option for another 500,000 courses. (Joseph, 2/11)
In other news about covid treatments —
Chicago Tribune: Evusheld, Treatment For Those At Risk Of COVID-19, Available At Illinois Hospitals
In December 2020, just before vaccines became widely available, Todd Linna contracted a case of COVID-19 that he couldn’t get rid of. The northern Illinois man lost 50 pounds and was unable to work for five months. He rarely left the house, except to go to the hospital. His doctor found that the virus had burrowed deep into his lungs. “It’s something you wouldn’t wish on your worst enemy,” he said. About 10 years ago, Linna had a cancer that depleted his immune system. Even though he has since received the vaccine, his immune system did not respond to it. So he pins his hope of staying free of COVID-19 on a new treatment approved late last year. (Buckley, 2/12)
Fox News: Antihistamines May Help Resolve Long COVID, Report Suggests
Two healthy middle-aged females returned to almost their normal daily activities after taking daily antihistamines for long COVID, according to a recently published case report. The researchers noted long COVID is a chronic condition when patients who are infected with the virus have persistent symptoms that extend beyond the typical time frame for the infection to resolve, but the illness currently doesn’t have any evidence-based treatments to guide how to manage it. "Most patients tell us that providers have not recommended anything that has helped," said co-author Melissa Pinto, associate professor at the University of California, Irvine Sue and Bill Gross School of Nursing. (Sudhakar, 2/12)
