Evusheld deauthorized for COVID-19 prevention

Available in Spanish The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has announced that, until further notice, Evusheld is no longer authorized for emergency use because it is not expected to protect against the COVID-19 subvariants currently circulating in the United States. As a result, it cannot be used for new patients or for patients who have […]

What kind of treatments exist for COVID-19?

1/25/2022: This blog has been updated to reflect new approval and authorization from the FDA for the antiviral drug remdesivir. The best way to fight COVID-19 is to avoid getting it in the first place. That means wearing a well-fitting mask, keeping gatherings small and outdoors if possible and getting vaccinated (including a booster dose if eligible.)  But the […]

New medication approved for prevention of COVID-19 in certain adults and children

On Dec. 8, 2021, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authorized AstraZeneca’s Evusheld under emergency use for prevention of COVID-19 infection in certain adults and children. Evusheld is a long-acting monoclonal antibody therapy.

FDA expands authorization for COVID-19 treatment to pediatric patients, including newborns

On Dec. 3, 2021, the agency expanded emergency use of bamlanivimab/etesevimab to include all patients at risk of severe disease, including newborns. “Children under one year of age who are exposed to the virus that causes COVID-19 may be at particularly high risk for severe COVID-19 and this authorization addresses the medical needs of this vulnerable population,” said Patrizia Cavazzoni, M.D., director of the FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research.

It’s always a good day to thank your neighborhood pharmacist

Long before COVID-19, pharmacists throughout Oregon played a crucial role in keeping people healthy. During the pandemic, they have been on the front lines providing useful and accurate information, prescription care and working tirelessly to help reach an 80 percent vaccination rate among Oregon adults.

Monoclonal antibody treatment for COVID-19 (update)

Getting diagnosed with COVID-19 can be scary. However, in addition to the safe and effective vaccines, we now have more treatments available that can reduce the severity of COVID-19 in those who have become infected. Monoclonal antibody (mAb) treatments have the potential to save lives and relieve the burden on Oregon’s health care system and […]

How to get a COVID-19 test

Thinking about getting tested for COVID-19 can be stressful, especially if you aren’t feeling well. Here’s what you need to know about getting tested in Oregon:  Who should get tested?  If you have symptoms of COVID-19 or if you were a close contact of someone with COVID-19, you should get tested regardless of vaccination status. Close contact means […]

Monoclonal antibody treatment for COVID-19

Getting diagnosed with COVID-19 can be scary. However, since the pandemic began, more treatments have become available to reduce the severity of COVID-19 in those who have become infected. Monoclonal antibody (mAb) treatments are one such form of treatment that have been authorized for emergency use in the United States. What is a monoclonal antibody? […]