Tech & Pharma 9/16
COVID Vaccine Trials Move at Warp Speed, But Recruiting Black Volunteers Takes Time
Blake Farmer, Nashville Public Radio
The National Institutes of Health has suggested minorities should be overrepresented in COVID-19 vaccine trials — perhaps at rates that are double their percentage of the U.S. population. But efforts to recruit patients from racial minority groups are just beginning, while some trials have already advanced to phase 3.
Lack of Antigen Test Reporting Leaves Country ‘Blind to the Pandemic’
Rachana Pradhan and Lauren Weber and Hannah Recht
A KHN review found more than 20 states either don’t count or have incomplete data on the use of COVID-19 antigen tests, leaving the public in the dark about the true scope of the pandemic.
Kids Are Missing Critical Windows for Lead Testing Due to Pandemic
Brie Zeltner
Inspections for lead hazards and blood testing for lead have dropped significantly just as kids are spending more time in the places where their exposure to the poisonous metal is highest: their homes.
Most Adults Wary of Taking Any Vaccine Approved Before the Election
Jordan Rau
About 60% of poll respondents are worried that federal regulators will rush to allow a vaccine because of political pressure. Opposition to getting a vaccine that might be authorized before the November election is strongest among Republicans.
COVID + Influenza: This Is a Good Year to Get a Flu Shot, Experts Advise
Julie Appleby and Michelle Andrews
A robust sign-up for flu shots could help head off a nightmare scenario in the coming winter of hospitals stuffed with both COVID-19 patients and those suffering from severe effects of influenza. Plus, no one knows how flu and COVID might interact if a patient got both.
Drug Overdose Deaths Showed a One-Year Decline in 2018. But There’s More to the Story.
Julie Appleby
The statistic is accurate but experts say other factors make it difficult to say indicators to think about that make it hard to say it's a "huge win."
5 Things to Know About Convalescent Blood Plasma
Victoria Knight
President Donald Trump touted the Food and Drug Administration’s approval of this unproven COVID-19 treatment for emergency use. That set off reactions ranging from excitement and optimism to scientific concerns and criticism that the decision was politically motivated.
With Schools Starting Online, Vaccinations Head for Recess
Carmen Heredia Rodriguez
Traditionally, requirements that kids undergo certain immunizations before attending school have been a critical public health tool. Health officials are scrambling to make sure children don’t fall through the cracks.
LA Hospital Seeks Vaccine Trial Participants Among Its Own High-Risk Patients
Arthur Allen
Harbor-UCLA Medical Center serves patients who are especially vulnerable to the coronavirus: They are essential workers, have chronic diseases and are members of underrepresented racial and ethnic groups. When the safety-net hospital kicks off enrollment for its COVID-19 vaccine trial Wednesday, it will look to those patients to participate.
Trump Again Claims He’s Bringing Down Drug Prices, But Details of How Are Skimpy
Victoria Knight
During his Monday speech at the Republican National Convention, President Donald Trump pointed to his two of his recent executive orders as likely to lead to big reductions in prescription drug costs.
California Rx: State May Dive Into Generic Drug Market
Angela Hart and Samantha Young
California could become the first state to develop its own line of generic drugs under a bill approved Monday by the legislature. The measure heads to Gov. Gavin Newsom for consideration.
Fauci Says COVID Vaccine Trials Could End Early If Results Are Overwhelming
Liz Szabo
The nation’s top infectious disease official is confident that an independent panel will base vaccine approval on science, not politics.
Fauci dice que una vacuna contra COVID podría estar lista antes de lo esperado
Liz Szabo
El experto en enfermedades infecciosas de más alto rango en el país dice que esto podría ocurrir si los ensayos clínicos en curso producen resultados abrumadoramente positivos.
NIH ‘Very Concerned’ About Serious Side Effect in Coronavirus Vaccine Trial
Arthur Allen and Liz Szabo
The AstraZeneca trial is on hold in the U.S. as scientists try to unravel whether a rare neurological condition is linked to the vaccine. But regulators are frustrated by a lack of information from the drugmaker.
Los NIH, “muy preocupados” por efectos secundarios en ensayo de vacuna para COVID
Arthur Allen and Liz Szabo
La Administración de Alimentos y Medicamentos está evaluando la posibilidad de seguir a los reguladores británicos y reanudar el ensayo de la vacuna. Pero hay dudas.