News & Updates

Original New Drug Application Approvals by US FDA (16-31 October 2023)

New drug applications approved by US FDA as of 16-31 October 2023 which includes New Molecular Entities (NMEs) and new biologics. It does not include Tentative Approvals. Supplemental approvals may have occurred since the original approval date.

A closer look at ceftazidime-avibactam in real-world settings

Antibiotic misuse and overuse fuel mutations in bacteria, leading to drug-resistant “superbugs,” with terrifying aftermath. Without intervention, antimicrobial resistance could cause 10 million deaths annually by 2050.

Every year, from November 18–24, the World Antimicrobial Awareness Week highlights these risks and promotes innovative treatments, enhanced surveillance, and best-practice sharing among clinicians. This article offers insights on the use of the fixed-dose combination antibiotic ceftazidime-avibactam in daily hospital settings.

Higher nasal CPAP helps avoid extubation failure in extremely preterm infants

Extubation with higher levels of nasal continuous positive airway pressure (nCPAP) in preterm infants leads to a lower incidence of extubation failure compared with standard nCPAP levels, without compromising safety, according to a study.

Comparative Effectiveness of mRNA COVID-19 Vaccines in the Immunocompromised Population: A Systematic Review & Meta-Analysis

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Ministry of Health Singapore recommend a third dose of mRNA-1273 or BNT162b2 COVID-19 vaccine as a part of the primary vaccination course in individuals with moderate to severe immunocompromised (IC) conditions. A recent systematic literature review and pairwise meta-analysis comparing the clinical effectiveness of mRNA-1273 versus BNT162b2 in IC individuals found that mRNA-1273 is associated with better clinical outcomes compared with BNT162b2 in the vulnerable IC populations.

Ritonavir-boosted nirmatrelvir protects older adults against post-COVID conditions

Treatment with nirmatrelvir/ritonavir helps lower the incidence of post-COVID conditions (PCC) in older adults, according to a large study.

Older age, comorbidities drivers of hospitalization for RSV

Advanced age (≥65 years) and comorbidities increase the risk of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)-associated hospitalization, according to a presentation at IDWeek 2023.

Supranormal FEV1, FVC values linked to better lung function

Nearly 3 percent of the general population demonstrate greater-than-expected values of forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) and forced vital capacity (FVC), which are both indicative of a better lung function, according to a recent study in Austria.