Author: Peter

Will mRNA vaccines continue to protect the public against COVID-19 as mutant strains emerge? Pfizer and Moderna have set out to answer that question...After a mutated, fast-spreading variant of COVID-19 in the U.K. disrupted global travel over the weekend, a troubling question emerged: Will the new vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna work against this scary new strain of the virus?... They’re launching new studies designed to prove their mRNA-based shots will fend off the new coronavirus strain, while simultaneously expressing confidence this new vaccine technology is ideal for protecting against rapidly mutating viruses...READ MORE

The U.S. government has reached a deal to acquire 100 million more doses of Pfizer and BioNTech's coronavirus vaccine, giving the U.S. enough of a stockpile to vaccinate 100 million total residents. The vaccine is administered via two shots...Under the deal, Pfizer will deliver 70 million doses by the end of June and another 30 million by July 31 The U.S. also retains an option to acquire an additional 400 million doses of the vaccine. As with the original supply deal the two struck in July, Pfizer will receive $1.95 billion, suggesting a per-dose price of about $20...READ MORE

Three leaders from pharma ingredients and innovation firm Lonza share views on challenges and opportunities likely to face the industry in coming months...It likely is safe to say no professionals in drug development and manufacturing has a reliable crystal ball that can provide a crystal-clear picture of exactly what will happen in the coming 12 months. However, seasoned and savvy professionals can offer educated opinions, and advice on preparing for what might lie ahead...To get a clearer perspective on what 2021 might have in store for the pharma field, Outsourcing-Pharma (OSP) checked in with three Lonza executives, asking their thoughts on 2020 as well as the new year...READ MORE

The U.S. government is close to a deal to acquire tens of millions of additional doses of Pfizer's vaccine in exchange for helping the pharmaceutical giant gain better access to manufacturing supplies...the deal is under discussion and could be finalized shortly...READ MORE

More than a decade ago, Purdue Pharma pleaded guilty to marketing the powerful painkiller OxyContin in a way that illegally downplayed its addictiveness and abuse potential. This past October, the company again admitted criminal wrongdoing for misleading doctors, regulators and the public regarding the drug’s dangers...Last Thursday’s congressional opioid hearing was the first time in years that the family behind Purdue, the Sacklers, would have a chance to take responsibility for it all. But instead of accepting blame for that reckless promotion, two of the family members, who appeared voluntarily under penalty of subpoena, did little more than murmur words of regret for the harmful commercial tactics that made their company’s lead product the poster child for the opioid crisis...While both apologized, neither acknowledged personal (or familial) fault or error...READ MORE

The American Hospital Association is seeking an emergency stay to delay enforcement of the Trump administration's price transparency when it goes into effect Jan. 1...The AHA and other appellants argue in the filing that the rule should be put on hold until their legal challenge plays out. Hospitals are awaiting a decision from a federal appeals court on the regulation following oral arguments in October...The rule would require hospitals to post payer-negotiated payment rates for 300 shoppable services online beginning Jan. 1. The goal is to encourage patients to shop around for care...READ MORE

The Trump administration sued Walmart Inc. Tuesday, accusing the retail giant of helping to fuel the nation’s opioid crisis by inadequately screening for questionable prescriptions despite repeated warnings from its own pharmacists...The Justice Department’s lawsuit claims that Walmart sought to boost profits, understaffed its pharmacies and pressured employees to fill prescriptions quickly. That made it difficult for pharmacists to reject invalid prescriptions, enabling widespread drug abuse nationwide, the suit alleges...Walmart, the country’s largest retailer by revenue, has been expecting this complaint and sued the federal government in October to fight the allegations pre-emptively...In its suit, Walmart accuses the Justice Department and Drug Enforcement Administration of attempting to scapegoat the company for what it says are the federal government’s own regulatory and enforcement shortcomings...READ MORE

The new brand name for Pfizer and BioNTech's COVID-19 vaccine, Comirnaty mashes up community, immunity, mRNA and COVID—pretty much everything that could fit into the moniker for the world's most high-profile product at the moment...How did those concepts become a brand? We asked the naming agency behind both Comirnaty and its non-proprietary name, tozinameran—industry heavyweight Brand Institute, which began working with BioNTech in April. Pfizer joined the effort shortly after, when the duo’s vaccine collaboration was announced...READ MORE

Scientists are eyeing a potential culprit causing the allergic reactions to the Pfizer Inc. and BioNTech SE Covid-19 vaccine: the compound polyethylene glycol, also known as PEG...Six severe allergic reactions to the vaccine have been reported in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, out of 272,001 doses administered through Dec. 19. At least two cases of anaphylaxis have also occurred in the U.K. People in the U.S. began receiving Moderna Inc.’s vaccine Monday, and no allergic reactions to it have been reported so far...READ MORE (full story behind pay wall)

The Southern Nevada Health District on Tuesday received its first shipment of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine...The initial shipment of 15,478 doses of the vaccine manufactured by Moderna will be used by the health district to vaccinate front-line health care workers, according to a statement from the agency. It comes on the heels of the 27,675 doses of the Pfizer vaccine the district already has received...Clark County hospitals also will receive shipments of 15,478 Moderna doses over the coming week...READ MORE