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Hello,
…And suddenly it’s October! If anyone has good inspiration for a festive, spooky Twitter name, please let me know.
Today in healthcare news: 7 events to keep an eye on in the vaccine race this month, an investigation shows how pharma execs raised drug prices, and get your pod ready for winter.
Also: The US FDA is taking a closer look at AstraZeneca’s vaccine trial after a UK participant had a potential serious side effect, Reuters reported Wednesday. A US trial of the vaccine has been on hold since the participant’s illness was identified, and the expanded investigation could stall it even more.
We could know if a coronavirus vaccine works in October. Here are the 7 most important events to watch for this month.
- October has the potential to be a turning point in the fight against the coronavirus pandemic.
- We could know by the end of the month if an experimental COVID-19 shot succeeds in the final stage of clinical trials. Pfizer's CEO has repeatedly said he expects efficacy results in October.
- We will also get clarity on how the US plans to review vaccine applications and distribute the first doses in meetings slated for October 2 and October 22.
Read the full story from Andrew Dunn here>>
REVEALED: Internal drug company docs show how pharmaceutical execs targeted the US for price hikes
- A House Oversight panel released the results of investigations concluding that Teva and Celgene hiked prices for best-selling drugs in order to boost profits.
- Celgene, now part of Bristol Myers Squibb, raised the price of its blood cancer treatment from $215 to $719 per pill.
"I have to consider every legitimate opportunity available to us to improve our Q1 performance," former Celgene CEO Mark Alles wrote in an email in 2014. - The documents also showed how the companies targeted the US for drug hikes rather than other countries, given that the government isn't allowed to regulate drug prices.
Read the full story from Kimberly Leonard and view the documents here>>
Winter is coming. Start building your coronavirus bubble now and get ready to socialize in the cold.
- Public health experts agree: winter with the coronavirus is going to be difficult.
- You may want to build a "bubble" of a few close friends or family members, with whom you can share space indoors.
- Just make sure "you don't bubble with someone, who then bubbles with someone, who then bubbles with someone," one public health expert said.
Read the full story from Hilary Brueck here>>
More stories we're reading:
- ICYMI: Meet the 30 leaders under 40 who are transforming the future of healthcare in 2020 (Business Insider)
- Fact-checking President Donald Trump's claims about insulin prices (Axios)
- A hospital chain had broken elevators and bedbugs. Its investors still manage to cash out $400 million from it. (ProPublica)
- A COVID-19 test that gives results in 15 minutes without a lab has been cleared for use in Europe (Business Insider)
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- Lydia