Hello, everyone, and how are you today? We are doing just fine, thank you, courtesy of a shiny sun and cool autumn breezes circulating the Pharmalot campus. Moreover, our official mascot is happily snoozing in a corner, which makes it easier to tend to the matters at hand. Such as? Of course, this includes brewing cups of stimulation and foraging for interesting items. Speaking of which, here are a few to get you started. Hope your day goes well and you conquer the world. Meanwhile, please do stay in touch. …
The Covid-19 pandemic has driven nearly 37 million people into extreme poverty and reversed two decades of progress in vaccinating children against once-common childhood diseases, The Wall Street Journal writes, citing a new report by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. The number of people living in extreme poverty globally has risen 7.1% so far this year in the pandemic. The pandemic has also pushed the percentage of children who are vaccinated against diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis down to the level it was last at in 2000
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And in regards to Trump’s executive order on “most favored nation”, it seems like he has exceeded his authority. Laws are not made by the executive branch but by the legislative branch of our government. I would like to see some lowering of drug costs. We all agree on that. I just don’t think that Trump can act like a king and post an edict to the wall.
I agree with Bill Gates. What is lacking is a concerted effort by the NIH to coordinate research programs. At the onset of the epidemic, back in March, the NIH should have “vetted” some 600 hospitals or hospital groups, readying them for clinical trials. They should have prepared some 300 outpatient clinics whether associated with a hospital or not. Then coordinate a research idea among 200 or 300 hospitals, to get a study started and completed rapidly. Rather than a dozen US hospitals testing Hydroxychloroquine as a preventative in household contacts or hospital workers, and having 150 patients on a given study, have one study of 800 paricipants over 50 hospitals an complete enrollment in a matter of three weeks. (Not that this study would be positive, but such a study would give a quick answer). It would also allow exploration of Remdesivir for outpatient ambulatory patients. It would allow a quick study of Favipiravir in outpatients (a drug like Rodney Dangerfield “gets no respect” in the US.). It would then allow rapid evaluation of combination antivirals, such as Remdes and Favi, or Remdes and MK4482 (EIDD-2801). Not to mention testing of various anti-inflammatories and anti-virals. I recognize the immense effort that would have to take place for this to happen, but think of how much further alone we would be now. If only the NIH would take charge, show leadership, coordinate efforts. It hasn’t happened and that saddens me.