Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Remdesivir Doesn't Prevent COVID Deaths, Study Finds
The Hill: WHO Study Finds No Benefit From Remdesivir On COVID-19 Deaths, Hospital Stays
The antiviral drug remdesivir had no substantial impact on the survival of COVID-19 patients or the length of their hospital stays, according to a World Health Organization (WHO) clinical trial. The results, announced late Thursday, could potentially be a major blow to the efforts of finding a suitable treatment to the disease that has killed more than 217,000 Americans. (Weixel, 10/15)
The New York Times: Remdesivir Fails To Prevent Covid-19 Deaths In Huge Trial
Remdesivir, the only antiviral drug authorized for treatment of Covid-19 in the United States, fails to prevent deaths among patients, according to a study of more than 11,000 people in 30 countries sponsored by the World Health Organization. The data, which were posted online on Thursday, have not yet been peer-reviewed or published in a scientific journal. (Wu and Kolata, 10/15)
Also —
Stat: Thank This Ebola-Fighting African Doctor For Monoclonal Antibody Treatments
As President Trump recovers from Covid-19, he has been singing the praises of an experimental monoclonal antibody cocktail made by Regeneron, which he credits for his fast recovery. He’s not alone in his optimism. Some infectious disease experts anticipate that monoclonal antibody treatments will become a significant tool in controlling the pandemic, potentially as valuable as a vaccine. But the credit for this promising breakthrough should not go to Western biomedical research alone. In fact, we have Ebola — and Dr. Jean-Jacques Muyembe-Tamfum, the intrepid African scientist known as the “Ebola hunter” — to thank for revealing the promise of these therapies. (Jenson, 10/15)
BBC News: Coronavirus Testing Lab 'Chaotic And Dangerous', Scientist Claims
A scientist who processed coronavirus swab samples at one of the UK's largest labs has alleged working practices were "chaotic and dangerous". He highlighted overcrowded biosecure workspaces, poor safety protocols and a lack of suitable PPE. The Health and Safety Executive has uncovered safety breaches at the lighthouse lab in Milton Keynes. (Bloch-Budzier, 10/15)
In other pharmaceutical news —
Stat: Attorneys General Urge The Justice Department To Revise A Settlement Deal With Purdue
More than two dozen state attorneys general are objecting to part of a possible deal between the federal government and Purdue Pharma that would resolve alleged criminal and civil charges over the company’s role in fueling the opioid crisis. Specifically, the state officials are upset that the drug maker would be transformed into a public benefit company and run on behalf of the numerous communities around the U.S. that have been pursuing Purdue for compensation. (Silverman, 10/15)
AP: FDA Extends Pregnancy Warning For Common Pain Relievers
Pregnant women should avoid a group of common pain relievers including Advil and Aleve for the last four months of pregnancy, federal health officials said Thursday, expanding the warning from three months. The Food and Drug Administration said the fever-and-pain-reducing drugs can cause a rare but serious complication that can harm the fetus. They can lead to kidney problems in the fetus that can result in low levels of amniotic fluid that fills the womb. (Perrone, 10/15)
