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April 13, 2020___

Today's Rundown

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Lilly partners with NIH to test Olumiant in patients hospitalized with COVID-19

Drug companies worldwide are testing existing medicines as potential treatments for COVID-19—plus working on new therapeutics—with few answers yet. Now, Eli Lilly is the latest to kick off a trial in partnership with federal health officials.

Top Stories

FDA OKs on-site decontamination systems for reusing millions of N95 respirator masks

The FDA greenlighted its second and third systems for decontaminating N95 respirators, both previously used on-site at many health systems nationwide. Together, the agency estimates this will allow nearly 5 million masks to be processed and reused per day.

They've already got beds and bathrooms. Here's how hotels could convert into makeshift hospitals

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers plans to convert convention centers, arenas and a high school gym into alternate care sites with makeshift hospital beds to handle the overflow of COVID-19 patients. What about hotels as hospitals? One architectural firm developed a concept study showing how it can be done.

Retail scripts of vaccines, acute drugs decline sharply amid COVID-19 pandemic

It’s understandable that retail prescriptions of drugs have declined since COVID-19 hit the U.S., as patients refrain from visiting physicians. But still, some drugs are suffering terribly, while others appear to be holding steady.

Coronavirus demand causes shortages of key hospital anesthetics, painkillers

The novel coronavirus has put an enormous strain on the pharmaceutical supply chain, with spot shortages of certain meds increasingly common. Now, with thousands of COVID-19 patients flooding U.S. hospitals, drugs used during treatment and ventilation are growing scarce. 

Healthcare roundup: Cigna launches program for isolated seniors; Stanford Medicine works on "early warning system"

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

Biopharma roundup: Gilead unveils promising, if limited, remdesivir data; Lilly starts testing arthritis med Olumiant

Data from a study on 53 severe COVID-19 patients treated with Gilead’s remdesivir showed the antiviral might be able to cut the death rate. Eli Lilly's offering its anti-inflammatory med Olumiant for an NIH master trial. Biogen's superspreader behind the scenes. FDA's shortages alert. And more.

FAH: Hospital closures loom if feds don't distribute more cash to fight COVID-19

Hospital finances are on life support as the COVID-19 pandemic continues—and without a quick windfall from the feds, many could shutter permanently, according to a new report.

Is pharma's public perception picking up around COVID-19? New poll shows first signs

The public perception of pharma industry may be starting to turn thanks to concerted COVID-19 efforts. New data on American views from APCO Worldwide surfaced a few bright spots for pharma including hope and optimism for treatments and vaccines from the group.

Majority of ACOs likely to bail to avoid paying losses from COVID-19: survey

A majority of ACOs say they are likely to leave the program rather than pay for huge losses because of the COVID-19 outbreak, a new survey found.

New Gilead remdesivir COVID-19 data show up old problems with limited data

Gilead has posted data on 53 severe COVID-19 patients who received remdesivir on a compassionate use basis. More than two-thirds of the patients improved after receiving remdesivir, although the lack of a control arm makes it hard to tell what role the antiviral played in their recoveries.

Celltrion plans July COVID-19 trial, advances 'super antibody'

Celltrion is aiming to start testing an antibody treatment for COVID-19 in humans in July. The Korean drug developer is working to get the SARS-CoV-2-neutralizing treatment into clinical trials while also advancing a candidate designed to eliminate all related coronavirus strains.

Amneal faces hydroxychloroquine API shortage after Finland tightens production: report

In a rush to contribute an antimalarial med to the COVID-19 fight, drugmakers have promised millions of doses for clinical trials and hospitals. But one company, Amneal Pharmaceuticals, likely won't hit its pledge after the government of Finland effectively turned off the tap for necessary ingredients.

Plasma therapy trial delays in U.K. 'extremely disappointing'

As the U.K. teeters toward Europe’s worst COVID-19 death toll and hit more than 10,000 deaths over the weekend, researchers are decrying the country’s delay in getting plasma therapy into trials to help patients with COVID-19.

Trump administration issues guidance on coverage mandates in COVID-19 legislation

The Trump administration issued guidance late Saturday clarifying coverage requirements for private payers in two legislative packages passed to fight the virus outbreak.