News & Updates

Original New Drug Application Approvals by US FDA (16-30 June 2024)

New drug applications approved by US FDA as of 16-30 June 2024 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.

Certain antipsychotics tied to increased pneumonia risk

Specific antipsychotic drugs such as high-dose quetiapine, high- and medium-dose clozapine, and high-dose olanzapine appear to be associated with a heightened risk of pneumonia among patients with schizophrenia, as shown in a study.

Retrospective study validates nirsevimab role against RSV in infants

A retrospective cohort study evaluating participants from Catalonia, Spain reinforces the potential of immunoprophylaxis with the novel monoclonal antibody nirsevimab in combating respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)-related outcomes in infants in the hospital and primary care settings.

Antibiotic and antiviral therapy in COVID-19 patients: Updates from ESCMID Global 2024

In COVID-19 patients, antibiotic therapy should be reserved only for suspected bacterial superinfections.

However, international data from over 1 million hospitalized COVID-19 patients across 65 countries showed that antibiotics were commonly prescribed empirically despite the low rates of reported bacterial co-infection.¹

Follow-up testing in cervical cancer screening remains low in SG

A recent study has found an “unacceptably low” compliance of follow-up following abnormal human papillomavirus (HPV) tests among women in Singapore.

Diagnostic delays up household transmission of whooping cough

Secondary transmission of pertussis, also known as whooping cough, is highly prevalent in the household setting, according to a study, adding that delays in diagnosis can heighten the odds of spreading pertussis in the home.