Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Brazil Halts Sinovac Trial After 'Severe Adverse Event'
The Wall Street Journal: Brazil Suspends Trials Of China’s Sinovac Coronavirus Vaccine
Brazil’s health regulator Anvisa said Monday it has suspended clinical trials of China’s Sinovac coronavirus vaccine, long expected to be one of the first to be approved in the country, following a “severe adverse event.” Anvisa said late Monday that the event occurred on Oct. 29, without giving further information or an explanation of why it took more than a week to communicate the problem. (Pearson, 11/10)
Stat: Drug Companies Deliver A Vote Of Confidence In Adaptive Trial For Covid-19
A novel clinical trial that uses artificial intelligence to rapidly compare Covid-19 treatments has attracted participation from two major drug companies, a key milestone in the effort to shake up the way trials are conducted. Amgen and the Japanese pharmaceutical company Eisai will become the first pharma companies to test their experimental therapies in REMAP-CAP, an adaptive clinical trial that seeks to rapidly evaluate potential Covid-19 treatments in patients around the world. (Ross, 11/10)
The Hill: NIH Study: Hydroxychloroquine Had No Benefit For Hospitalized COVID-19 Patients
Hydroxychloroquine provides no benefit for hospitalized COVID-19 patients, a study from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) has officially concluded. The report was published in the Journal of the American Medical Association on Monday, though the NIH stopped the study in June on the recommendation of an independent data monitoring board. The study found that while hydroxychloroquine did not cause any additional harm, it didn't help patients either. (Weixel, 11/9)
Also —
Stat: STAT-Harris Poll: Most Won't Get A Covid-19 Vaccine Unless It Halves Risk
Six in 10 Americans said they are somewhat or very likely to get a Covid-19 vaccine if doing so would lower the risk of becoming infected by about half, according to a new survey from STAT and The Harris Poll. The poll also found that more Americans say they are likely to get a vaccine, practice social distancing, and wear a mask if they or someone they know has contracted Covid-19. (Silverman, 11/10)
