A mix-up with vaccine ingredients at a production site in Baltimore, Maryland, which is manufacturing both the Johnson & Johnson and AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines, has led to the contamination of 15 million J&J doses, which risks delaying national and global deliveries of the recently-approved vaccine.  The pharma company, which is producing the world’s first single […] Continue reading ->
A recent trial of ivermectin, a mainstay treatment for the parasitic disease onchocerciasis for the past three decades, has failed to show significant impacts against COVID-19, a new study,  published in JAMA, reports. The study by a group of researchers in Cali, Colombia found that the use of the antiparitic drug, typically used to treat onchocersiasis  […] Continue reading ->
European countries are experiencing soaring COVID-19 infection and death rates. With a third wave sweeping across Europe, hospitals are at risk of becoming overwhelmed and governments are facing increasing public opposition to continued lockdowns and social distancing restrictions. The WHO European Region, which includes 53 member states, has recorded an upward trend in cases for […] Continue reading ->
ISLAMABAD – (EXCLUSIVE) A controversial plan to sell Russia’s Sputnik V COVID-19 vaccine to wealthy citizens in Pakistan has been put on hold following a dispute between the government and the private pharmaceutical company involved over the vaccines’ sale price, Health Policy Watch has learned. Meanwhile, Transparency International – Pakistan appealed to Prime Minister Imran […] Continue reading ->
The European Medicines Agency (EMA) has officially authorized expanded capacity in three new vaccine manufacturing facilities on the continent producing AstraZeneca, Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna vaccines – a move that the agency says should also help pharma suppliers ramp up their deliveries of now scarce vaccines to European Union bloc countries.  At the same time, a […] Continue reading ->
NAIROBI – Kenya has suspended parliament and banned church gatherings in its capital, Nairobi, and four other counties as the country records its highest number of COVID-19 deaths since the pandemic started last year and amid a surge of positive cases. President Uhuru Kenyatta on Friday announced partial lockdown and instituted new curfew measures to […] Continue reading ->
A new study published by a consortium of UK-based airline industry interests suggested that administration to travelers of a rapid antigen test upon arrival at their destination, may be just as effective as quarantine requirements, to stop imports of COVID-19 cases. The study, which reviewed case studies of airport testing procedures elsewhere, claims that a […] Continue reading ->