Covid-19 Related Research Studies Retracted
A recent clinical trial from the UK showed decreased mortality for patients seriously ill with COVID-19 requiring oxygen or ventilators when treatment included the corticosteroid dexamethasone. Read more from the WHO >
Early numbers for COVID patients placed on ventilators showed that 25% died within the first few weeks, so the possibility of reducing this mortality rate by 1/3 is significant and encouraging.
As the search goes on for novel treatment options for COVID we continue to see success with traditional therapies. These preliminary results for dexamethasone warrant a closer look at other traditional therapies for newer treatment needs, such as recent research into ivermectin’s possible role in COVID treatment, and we look forward to seeing more investigations that expand our knowledge of APIs already in use.
While the benefit of this study points directly to hospitalized patients, it could potentially lead to wider application of dexamethasone to patients being treated at home – and if the supply of commercially available dosage forms is exhausted, compounders may be able to help fill the need.
As always, healthcare practitioners must carefully weigh off-label use of any drug, and compounding pharmacists are familiar with the struggle of practicing evidence-based medicine when evidence is hard to come by. We must work together with prescribers and patients to weigh known drug safety profiles, review literature and supporting evidence, and educate doctors and patients on potential benefits and risks of any therapy, particularly ones with limited evidence or clinical trials.
Looking for more resources on Covid-19 for compounding pharmacies?
Download our pharmacy resource guide >
Latest Articles
-
Posted: July 08, 2020Categories: Industry NewsRead more »
The Alliance for Pharmacy Compounding held their Advocacy Town Hall, which you can watch in its entirety...
-
Posted: June 25, 2020Categories: Industry NewsRead more »
A recent clinical trial from the UK showed decreased mortality for patients seriously ill with COVID-19 requiring oxygen or ventilators when treatment included the corticosteroid dexamethasone...
-
Posted: June 05, 2020Categories: Industry NewsRead more »
This week, two major medical journals retracted separate studies on Covid-19 treatments due to an inability to validate the data and methodology used in the studies.
-
Posted: May 29, 2020Categories: Compounding EducationRead more »
The Institute for Safe Medication Practices (ISMP) recently shared a medication error involving remdesivir vial labels that provides an important example for compounders...
-
Posted: May 14, 2020Categories: Compounding EducationRead more »
Change control SOPs are critical in sterile compounding - and pharmacy technicians are not the only ones who need to understand machines and tools in the lab and workflows.
-
Posted: May 11, 2020Categories: Compounding EducationRead more »
Formulations require different sample amounts to allow for an accurate result representative of the compounded preparation.
-
Posted: April 21, 2020Categories: Industry NewsRead more »
Covid-19 has led to a constantly changing regulatory environment to support patient care. But pharmacists need to take care to monitor national as well as state laws and guidelines.
-
Posted: April 17, 2020Categories: Compounding EducationRead more »
Download our one-page flyer with tips and resources to help support the service your pharmacy and staff are providing to your communities.
