Three FDA representatives discuss new drug indications, safety precautions and label changes, & an emergency program to rapidly evaluate existing immunomodulating therapies for use in COVID-19 patients.... [Read More]
(Reuters)—Roche’s rheumatoid arthritis drug Actemra (tocilizumab) failed to help patients with early-stage COVID-19 pneumonia in an Italian study, the latest instance in which an anti-inflammatory drug has fallen through in a coronavirus trial. Despite the setback, the Swiss drugmaker said that it is pressing ahead with testing tocilizumab in another trial against COVID-19, the disease… [Read More]
Jane’s* hands and wrists had been swollen and painful for about eight weeks. Lab findings in the ambulatory consult that came to our office revealed a cyclic citrullinated peptide antibody count >250 u/mL. We all know where this story goes, including how important the early treatment window is. Our clinic reviews all consults and tries… [Read More]
The outbreak of the SARS-CoV-2 virus is disrupting patient care all over the world. In the U.S., many providers have had to adapt to new social distancing measures to care for patients, but struggles remain. Mark J. Sinnett, PharmD, FASHP, director of clinical and educational pharmacy services and director of the Center for Pharmacotherapy Research… [Read More]
Two rheumatologists offer advice on patient management during the COVID-19 pandemic.... [Read More]
How are COVID-19 and physical distancing restrictions at work affecting rheumatology professionals? The Rheumatologist interviewed clinical pharmacist Wendy Ramey, BSPharm, RPh, CSP, to discuss how the pandemic has changed the way her staff supports rheumatologists at the University of Kentucky Specialty Pharmacy and Infusion Services, Lexington. Ms. Ramey describes how these unprecedented times affect patients,… [Read More]
(Reuters)—Initial data from clinical trials testing whether patients with severe coronavirus illness can be helped by a rheumatoid arthritis drug sold by Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc and Sanofi SA may come as early as next week, Regeneron’s chief scientific officer told Reuters. “We could be one to two weeks—at most a month or so—away from knowing… [Read More]
PARIS (Reuters)—Sanofi SA will be able to provide millions of doses of hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) for patients with the illness caused by the novel coronavirus if the old malaria drug proves successful in clinical trials, its chief executive tells Reuters on Thursday. Paul Hudson, who became CEO of the French drugmaker in September, said in an… [Read More]
(Reuters)—Sanofi and Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc. have expanded a clinical trial of their rheumatoid arthritis drug Kevzara (sarilumab) as a coronavirus treatment to patients outside the U.S. The companies said enrolments for the mid-to-late stage trial of sarilumab, an immune-system modifying drug known as a monoclonal antibody, have now started in Italy, Spain, Germany, France, Canada… [Read More]
After a study investigated if hydroxycholoroquine (HCQ) benefits COVID-19 patients, the drug—used to treat SLE and RA patients—began running out in pharmacies around the U.S. ACR leaders have asked the FDA to increase monitoring of the HCQ supply…... [Read More]