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April 07, 2020___

Today's Rundown

Featured Story

Trump orders 'genius' biotechs to British PM's bedside

President Donald Trump has asked “leading” U.S. pharmaceutical companies working on experimental COVID-19 treatments to “contact London” and offer help to U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who is in intensive care after testing positive for the novel coronavirus last month.

Top Stories

More than 700 Henry Ford Health workers tested positive for COVID-19

A top physician at Henry Ford Health System says 734 workers have been infected with COVID-19.

As millions lose their jobs—and insurance—Bristol Myers, Eli Lilly expand patient assistance

Aside from its devastating health consequences, the COVID-19 pandemic has left millions of Americans without work—and therefore without health insurance. Now, two Big Pharmas are expanding their assistance programs to help patients stay on their meds.

U.S., India spar over antimalarial as COVID-19 highlights state actor role in supply chain

President Donald J. Trump's endorsement of antimalarial hydroxychloroquine to treat COVID-19 has sent demand for the drug skyrocketing. But a tussle with India, a major U.S. drug supplier, over an export ban has added new concerns about the role of state actors in the global supply chain. 

Healthcare roundup: Lyft grows access to non-emergency transport; Tyto Care raises $50M as demand for virtual care soars

FierceHealthcare's ongoing coverage of how the coronavirus is impacting the healthcare industry.

Biopharma roundup: AbbVie's Kaletra shows promise in early test; Lilly shareholder meeting goes virtual

An early trial of AbbVie's Kaletra showed promise, while Eli Lilly is moving to a virtual shareholder meeting. And former FDA commissioner Scott Gottlieb has ideas about how the U.S. can prepare to move past the pandemic.

AMA President Harris calls for all governors to implement physical distancing guidelines

American Medical Association President Patrice Harris called on governors who have not already implemented physical distancing in their states to do so immediately. 

KFF: Treating uninsured COVID-19 patients could cost as much as $41B

The Trump administration’s pledge to reimburse hospitals for treating uninsured patients of COVID-19 could cost up to $41.8 billion, nearly half of the $100 billion given to hospitals in a recent economic stimulus package.

U.S. government funds OraSure's at-home spit test for coronavirus infections

BARDA funded the development of a rapid coronavirus test that can be self-administered at home. Designed by OraSure Technologies, the test would not only detect the novel infection that causes COVID-19 but all coronaviruses that can lead to severe respiratory disease.

To avoid DTC dips and communication snafus, pharma marketing shifts amid COVID-19 crisis

Pharma marketing, like the rest of the ad industry, is in a state of flux brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. Concerns and debates are swirling around whether drug ads should scale back, if drugmakers should change messaging to be more serious or if they should delay DTC drug launch campaigns.

Wellcome targets $8B raise in weeks to fix COVID-19 funding gap

Wellcome is calling on businesses to invest in an $8 billion (€7 billion) fund focused on reducing cases of COVID-19 to zero as soon as possible. Almost half the money is earmarked for the development of drugs and vaccines that Wellcome sees as the “world’s best exit strategy” from the pandemic.

AHIP calls for CMS to delay mandatory new Medicare Advantage requirements due to COVID-19

AHIP wants CMS to give insurers a reprieve from any new requirements in 2021 for Medicare Advantage to help them deal with the impact of COVID-19.

Johnson & Johnson posts 'temporary' Tylenol shortage amid heightened demand

With anxiety about the U.S. drug supply running high these days, drugmakers are keeping a close eye on demand spikes. Now, Johnson & Johnson, maker of ubiquitous painkiller Tylenol, is reporting shortages in certain markets as consumers stock their medicine chests.

Alexion plans phase 2 study of Soliris in COVID-19 in coming days: report

The race for a COVID-19 therapeutic has attracted many of the biggest names in biopharma, and now Alexion is getting ready to place a bet on its own Soliris, GlobalData reports.