Drugs

Four drug firms agree to pay $26 billion in proposed US opioid settlement

The proposed settlement is the largest unveiled in courts to hold the industry accountable for the opioids crisis, which has caused more than 500,000 deaths in the US during the past two decades.

After decades of war, Afghanistan’s drug trade booms like never before

A large meth industry has rapidly emerged that could eventually rival the country’s massive opium trade, adding yet another dimension to Afghanistan’s spiralling drug crisis.

Steroid first drug to save lives in Covid-19 fight, initial results show

Researchers led by a team from the University of Oxford said daily doses of the steroid could prevent one-in-eight ventilated patient deaths and save one out of every 25 patients requiring oxygen alone.

Imperial College set to launch human trials of potential Covid-19 vaccine

The trials, partially funded by the UK, are the first human tests of a technology that researchers say could transform vaccine development by enabling rapid responses to emerging diseases such as the infection caused by the SARS-CoV-2.

Four EU countries sign deal with pharma giant for Covid-19 vaccine

AstraZeneca, an Anglo-Swedish company, recently completed similar agreements with Britain, the United States the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations, and Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance for 700 million doses.

J&J moves up start of coronavirus vaccine human trials to July

The acceleration should allow J&J to take part in the massive clinical trials program planned by the US government, which aims to have an effective vaccine by year end.

Autopsy reveals George Floyd had Covid-19, doesn't cite as factor in death

According to a 20-page autopsy report released by the Hennepin County Medical Examiner’s Office, the handcuffed black man had a heart attack while being pinned down by a policeman. His death has been classified as a homicide.

AstraZeneca teams up with Oxford University to develop Covid-19 vaccine

The AstraZeneca-Oxford partnership is hoping to produce 100 million doses by the end of the year and prioritise supply in the UK, AstraZeneca Chief Executive Pascal Soriot said.

US working with other countries on vaccine – Trump

Trump expressed his hope that a vaccine would be in place before the end of the year and said his administration would mobilise its forces to get a vaccine distributed once one was developed.

Coronavirus vaccine possible in about a year – UN agency

The European Medicines Agency is also looking at therapeutics to help deal with the effects of the coronavirus, some of which could see approval by this summer.

German company begins testing possible Covid-19 vaccine

The trial will be conducted on 200 healthy people in the first stage. Meanwhile, the world's largest vaccine maker says it's unlikely Covid-19 vaccines can be mass-produced before second half of 2021.

Countries, companies risk billions in race for coronavirus vaccine

They’re fast-tracking the testing and regulatory review of vaccines with no guarantee they will prove effective. They’re building and re-tooling plants for vaccines with slim chances of being approved