Weekend ICYMI: August 26 to August 30

Free At-Home COVID-19 Test Program Returns as Cases Rise

COVID-19 rapid antigen test on blue background / chandlervid85 - stock.adobe.com

In response to a summertime resurgence in COVID-19 cases and in preparation for the upcoming respiratory virus season, the federal government is set to reinstate its free at-home testing program in late September. The initiative was previously paused in March due to declining case numbers following the winter respiratory season. The government said the tests will “detect current COVID-19 variants and can be used through the end of the year.”

Q&A: How Health Care Providers Can Help Increase COVID-19 Vaccine Uptake

Although COVID-19 cases and deaths have fallen significantly since the height of the pandemic, the disease still represents a threat to public health. Drug Topics recently talked with Chijioke Bennett, MD, MPH, MBA, executive director of clinical development at Novavax, about how health care providers can increase awareness around the importance of COVID-19 vaccines, how they can help patients overcome vaccine hesitancy, and how to help patients decide which vaccine is right for them.

Psilocybin Mushrooms: A Journey from Ancient Traditions to Modern Clinical Use

Psilocybin mushrooms, often referred to as magic mushrooms, have a rich history throughout various ancient cultures, particularly within spiritual and healing practices. This rich history, coupled with emerging clinical research, is paving a new way in mental health treatment. Understanding both the historical and modern contexts of psilocybin use can offer valuable insights for pharmacists and other clinicians.

Inclisiran Monotherapy Significantly Reduces LDL-C in ASCVD

The phase 3 V-MONO study of inclisiran (Leqvio) met its primary endpoints, Novartis has announced. Monotherapy with the drug resulted in both clinically meaningful and statistically significant low-density lipoprotein cholesterol lowering compared with both placebo and ezetimibe therapy in patients not receiving lipid lowering therapy who were at low or moderate risk of developing atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.

Q&A: Opill Ushers in New Era of Access to Birth Control

Developers of Opill, the first FDA-approved OTC birth control, hope that its availability in pharmacies will help reduce the stigma surrounding the medicine. According to Stephanie Sober, MD, MSHP, global director of medical affairs for women's health at Perrigo and investigator on the pivotal research that supported the prescription-to-OTC switch of Opill, in an interview with Drug Topics, the science is simple. "The more [contraceptive] options [people] have and the easier access [people] have, the more likely people are to find something that works for them and to be able to continue it," she said.

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