A World Health Organization (WHO) panel on March 2 backed the use of Merck & Co. Inc.’s COVID-19 antiviral pill for high-risk patients.
In line with growing concerns that certain Covid-19 vaccines are causing unusual blood clotting problems, a group of scientists from the U.K. conducted a massive study on the link between vaccinations and dropping platelet counts and found that the problem lies more on the virus itself than on the medications.
Larger clinical trials are needed to assess whether Roche’s Actemra (tocilizumab) can cut death rates among the sickest Covid-19 patients after a small study found the arthritis drug was no better than standard care in severe cases.
Researchers called for more research into using blood from recovered Covid-19 patients – or so-called convalescent plasma – as a potential treatment, after a small trial of hospitalized patients in India found it was of no benefit.
Abbott’s ARCHITECT STAT High Sensitivity Troponin-I blood test received clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to help identify heart attacks several hours sooner than standard troponin tests and help improve diagnosis in women.