The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on Friday cleared Novavax’s COVID-19 vaccine for emergency use in adolescents, paving the way to expand eligibility for the fourth shot available in the United States. The two-dose regimen utilizes protein-based technology previously leveraged in vaccines to combat other viruses, offering an alternative for Americans skeptical of Pfizer and Moderna’s mRNA technology. Providers can begin administering the vaccine to people aged 12 through 17 after a sign off from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which has already authorized the vaccine’s use for adults. The two doses are given three weeks apart. Read more.

After more than six decades in business, Paul's Pharmacy will close its doors. The business announced the closure Saturday, Aug. 20, as owners Jim and Jamie Bussis begin their retirement. According to the announcement, the pharmacy's last day open was Monday — but closing sales will follow in the coming weeks. Read more.

As federal funding starts to run out for COVID-19, the Biden administration is taking the steps to transfer the financial burden of vaccines and treatment to the private sector. The transition likely will take months to complete, and ultimately will see health plans exerting greater control over cost and coverage and consumers paying more out of their pockets. "There are issues of reimbursement, equitable access to vaccines and treatment, and distribution that need to be resolved," said Anne McDonald Pritchett, senior vice president at Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America. HHS is assembling drugmakers, pharmacies, and other stakeholders for an August 30 meeting to discuss these and other particulars. "We want to make sure everyone who needs access gets access," [...]

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Results from a national survey conducted by the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) show that the majority of certified pharmacy technicians remained dedicated to serving patients and advancing their careers despite pandemic-related challenges. However, the data also revealed that, of the people who reported leaving the profession, more than 25 percent noted they would have continued working as pharmacy technicians if not for COVID-19 pandemic stressors. The online survey, which garnered more than 20,000 responses, showed that a desire to help people remained one of the primary reasons a majority of participants chose their profession. These pharmacy technicians said they were satisfied or very satisfied with their career. In addition, 60 percent of PTCB-certified technicians consider the profession [...]

The Wall Street Journal Online - Powered by Dow Jones - Aug 11, 2022 Walgreens Boots Alliance Inc. is offering signing bonuses up to $75,000 to pharmacists in some markets as the company struggles to fill jobs amid a chronic worker shortage that became acute during the Covid-19 pandemic. Learn more