News & Updates

The co-circulation of COVID-19 and influenza presents ongoing challenges for healthcare providers, complicating diagnoses and straining primary care resources.

Pfizer recently hosted an event in Singapore to mark the approval of nirmatrelvir/ritonavir, the first oral protease inhibitor for COVID-19 approved by the Health Sciences Authority of Singapore. The event brought together experts to share the latest insights on the critical importance of COVID-19 treatment for high-risk patients and strategies to protect the nation against future pandemics. Professor Christian Sandrock, Director of Critical Care and Vice-Chair for Quality and Safety at UC Davis Medical Center, Sacramento, California, US, discussed the next steps in managing COVID-19 during the endemic phase, re-evaluating clinical priorities. Dr Leong Choon Kit, a Family Physician at Mission Medical Clinic, Singapore, emphasized the role of primary care as the first line of defence in future pandemics. Dr Asok Kurup, an Infectious Disease Physician at Mount Elizabeth Hospital, Singapore, highlighted the crucial role of nirmatrelvir/ritonavir in COVID-19 treatment.

Implementing a pharmacist-driven protocol of second-dose cefepime results in a lower duration between second-dose antibiotics, days requiring vasopressors, and a slight decrease in length of hospital stay among adult patients with sepsis in the emergency department (ED), according to a study.

Use of azithromycin among patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) does not appear to contribute significantly to the increase in QTc interval, a study has shown.

A closer look at antibiotic prescribing practices for childhood illnesses in Singapore uncovers opportunities for improvement, even when overall rates seem appropriate.