About Covid-19
COVID DATA TRACKER WEEKLY REVIEW “As of January 5, 2023, there are 628 (19.5%) counties, districts, or territories with a high COVID-19 Community Level, 1,351 (41.9%) with a medium Community Level, and 1,241 (38.5%) with a low Community Level. Compared with last week, the number of counties, districts, or territories in the high level increased by 10.6%, in the medium level increased by 1.8%, and in the low level decreased by 12.4%. Overall, 49 out of 52 jurisdictions had high- or medium-level counties this week. Hawaii, Maine, and Wyoming are the only jurisdictions to have all counties at low Community Levels.”
The interactive map helps you track what is happening in your county.
AstraZeneca’s preventative COVID treatment likely not effective against XBB.1.5: FDA “The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said on Friday that AstraZeneca’s preventative monoclonal antibody treatment for COVID-19 is likely ineffective against the XBB.1.5 omicron subvariant due to its similarity to other mutations of the virus that are also not neutralized by the treatment.
In a statement, the FDA said it ‘does not anticipate that Evusheld will neutralize XBB.1.5.’”
Moderna reaped $18.4B in COVID vaccine sales last year, projects at least $5B in 2023 “The mRNA juggernaut reported that Spikevax generated approximately $18.4 billion in revenue last year. The number was short of the company’s original estimate of $22 billion at the start of the year but did exceed its 2021 sales of $17.7 billion…
On Monday, Moderna also projected 2023 sales of the vaccine to reach at least $5 billion. That figure does not account for contracts that could be signed this year. The company specified the potential for deals with the U.S., Europe and Japan, among others.”
About pharma
Teva's $4.25B opioid settlement gets support from 48 states and will move forward “After proposing a blockbuster $4.25 billion opioid settlement, the drugmaker has secured participation from 48 states and “will continue to pursue participation” from others, Teva said in a company statement. The two holdout states are Nevada and New Mexico, a Teva spokesperson told Fierce Pharma via email.”
India’s lax oversight of pharmaceutical manufacturing imperils health around the world The whole article is interesting, but this quotation stands out: “Unsafe drugs are just the tip of the iceberg. Substandard or ineffective drugs may be an even bigger problem.”
Comment: The reason this article is important is that India provides a large amount of the active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) and generic medications to the US and the rest of the world.
Chiesi Farmaceutici S.p.A. to Acquire Amryt Pharma Plc Highlights:
- Transaction expands Chiesi’s rare disease medicine portfolio
- All cash acquisition at US$14.50 per ADS, plus Contingent Value Rights of up to an additional US$2.50 per ADS based on certain Filsuvez® milestones being achieved
- Total Transaction value of up to US$1.48 Billion with upfront consideration representing a 107% premium to Amryt ADS’ closing price on January 6, 2023”
AstraZeneca buys US biotech CinCor in $1.8bn deal “AstraZeneca has agreed to buy US biotech CinCor in a deal worth up to $1.8 billion (€1.68 billion), as it seeks to expand its pipeline of heart and kidney drugs.”
About the public’s health
New guidance: Use drugs, surgery early for obesity in kids “Children struggling with obesity should be evaluated and treated early and aggressively, including with medications for kids as young as 12 and surgery for those as young as 13, according to new guidelines released Monday.
The longstanding practice of ‘watchful waiting,’ or delaying treatment to see whether children and teens outgrow or overcome obesity on their own only worsens the problem that affects more than 14.4 million young people in the U.S. Left untreated, obesity can lead to lifelong health problems, including high blood pressure, diabetes and depression…
For the first time, the group’s guidance sets ages at which kids and teens should be offered medical treatments such as drugs and surgery — in addition to intensive diet, exercise and other behavior and lifestyle interventions...”
Weekly U.S. Influenza Surveillance Report “Key Points
Seasonal influenza activity remains high but continues to decline in most areas.
Of influenza A viruses detected and subtyped during week 52, 70% were influenza A(H3N2) and 30% were influenza A(H1N1).
Thirteen influenza-associated pediatric deaths were reported this week, for a total of 74 pediatric flu deaths reported so far this season.
CDC estimates that, so far this season, there have been at least 22 million illnesses, 230,000 hospitalizations, and 14,000 deaths from flu.
The cumulative hospitalization rate in the FluSurv-NET system was 3.5 times higher than the highest cumulative in-season hospitalization rate observed for week 52 during previous seasons going back to 2010-2011. However, this in-season rate is still lower than end-of-season hospitalization rates for all but 4 pre-COVID-19-pandemic seasons going back to 2010-2011.
The number of flu hospital admissions reported in the HHS Protect system was similar to last week.
The majority of influenza viruses tested are in the same genetic subclade as and antigenically similar to the influenza viruses included in this season’s influenza vaccine.
All viruses collected and evaluated this season have been susceptible to the influenza antivirals oseltamivir, peramivir, zanamivir, and baloxavir.”
About healthcare personnel
ADVISORY: NYSNA NURSES AT MOUNT SINAI HOSPITAL AND MONTEFIORE BRONX ON STRIKE Information from the NY State Nurses Association
Healthcare adds 55K jobs in December, totaling 580K new roles since 2021, federal data show “Healthcare employment rose by 54,700 jobs in December with new roles in ambulatory care and hospitals, representing the strongest month of industry job gains since September’s 60,100, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ (BLS') monthly report released Friday morning.
Ambulatory care services led the way with 29,900 new jobs, followed by hospitals adding 15,700 jobs and nursing and residential care facilities adding 9,100, according to BLS.”
About health technology
Baxter International plans to spin off kidney care units “The company plans to spin off its renal care and acute therapies units into a separate listed entity in the next 12-18 months. It is also exploring alternatives for its biopharma solutions business, including a potential sale or other separation options.”