From the start of the pandemic, American Indians and Alaskan Natives have been disproportionately impacted by the virus. New data released last month by Johns Hopkins University (JHU) helps visualize that disparity, which has been blamed on a higher rate of preexisting conditions and poorer health infrastructure.
VA Study Questions Value of Remdesivir in Hospitalized COVID-19 Patients
Last October, the Food and Drug Administration approved remdesivir, marketed as Veklury, for use in adults and children 12 and older who weight at least 40 kg for the treatment of COVID-19 requiring hospitalization.
Deprescribing BP Medications in Older, Frail Patients Can Be Right Thing to Do
Growing evidence from observational studies signals that prescribing multiple antihypertensive prescriptions might do more harm than good in older patients with polypharmacy and comorbid conditions.
LAIs Improve VHA Schizophrenia Medication Adherence
Ensuring high rates of medication adherence is one of the greatest challenges in treating schizophrenia patients at the VA and elsewhere.
Outpatient Antibiotic Stewardship Improves at VA But Remains Ongoing Problem
VHA’s antibiotic stewardship programs implemented about eight years ago are beginning to pay off, but there is a lot of work left to do, according to new research.
Pain Cream Sellers Sentenced for Bilking TRICARE Out of Mega-Millions
Prosecution continues for defendants charged in a number of nearly-identical schemes to defraud TRICARE and other insurers out of hundreds of millions of dollars by exploiting a former loophole in the billing process for compound drugs.
Study Finds CDK4/6 Pathway Could Be Bladder Cancer Treatment Target
The cyclin dependent kinase (CDK) 4/6 pathway appears feasible as a potential target for the treatment of bladder cancer, according to a new study.
Dulaglutide Might Reduce Erectile Dysfunction in T2D Patients
Even though diabetes is a major risk factor for erectile dysfunction, the effect of GLP-1 receptor agonists on erectile dysfunction remains unclear.
WRAIR Tests Vaccine for COVID-19—and Future Pathogens
At Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, flexibility has been the watchword of the last 18 months. The team at WRAIR pivoted quickly from other work to focus on developing a vaccine for SARS-CoV-2 as soon as the scientific community had access to the full genome in January 2020.
OIG Finds That VA’s Computer Systems Remain Vulnerable to Cyberattacks
Although no data was stolen from VA’s computer systems during the 2020’s SolarWinds hack, cybersecurity remains a long-standing material weakness for the VA, agency overseers pointed out.
Most Widely Used Severe COVID-19 Medications Changed Over Time in 2020
News about medications to treat COVID-19 came fast and furious at the height of the pandemic. Drugs were constantly being touted as showing promise to ameliorate the symptoms—or even cure—the sometimes deadly virus.
Problems With DoD-to-VA Transition Program Intensified by Pandemic
Transitioning from active duty military service to civilian life is difficult at the best of times. The pandemic added a host of new challenges, highlighted existing problems with the transitioning process and widened the cracks through which those veterans who are most in need of support are in danger of falling.
Infrastructure Lack Increases Health Risks of Native Americans
The COVID-19 pandemic, which disproportionately affected Native Americans, has revealed a critical need for investments in those communities, according to trial advocates and the Indian Health Service (IHS).
How Effective Are COVID-19 Vaccines in Autoimmune Disease Patients?
Patients with autoimmune diseases had significantly worse outcomes with COVID-19 infection than with past cases of influenza, according to a review using data from the VA and other international data.
VA’s EHR Rollout on Temporary Hold for Strategic Review
VA has put the nationwide rollout of its new electronic health record (EHR) modernization program on pause to conduct an assessment of challenges at the pilot site at the Mann-Grandstaff VAMC in Spokane, WA.
Younger, Not Older, Veterans With Epilepsy Tend to Have Lower Quality of Life
For veterans with epilepsy, quality of life is most negatively impacted by frequency of seizures, according to a new study. And that, plus some other factors, usually means that younger veterans have a tougher time with epilepsy than older ones.
DoD Personnel Critical in Getting Civilians Immunized Against COVID-19
In an effort to get as many COVID-19 shots into arms as possible as quickly as feasible, the military is continuing to supply personnel to help the Federal Emergency Management Agency at mass vaccination sites.
FDA Updates Covid-19 Vaccine Label to Urge Use of ‘Sixth Dose’
The Food and Drug Administration has approved an updated label for the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, urging that the sixth dose in vaccine vials be used.
Pharmacists Play Critical Role in VA’s Dual Missions with COVID-19 Vaccination
Throughout the pandemic, VA’s healthcare professionals have risen to the challenge of meeting two of the department’s missions: providing healthcare to veterans and improving the nation’s preparedness to national emergencies.
Clinical Pharmacists Expand Treatment of Increasing Opioid Use Disorder
The good news: The VA reduced opioid prescribing by 64% from 2012 to 2020, from more than 679,000 veterans to 247,000 through its Opioid Safety Initiative and other efforts.
Million+ Cases Suggest ACEIs, ARBs Don’t Increase COVID-19 Risk, Severity
In the chaotic days when the COVID-19 pandemic first began to affect the United States, healthcare professionals were barraged with questions about certain blood pressure medications and whether they increased infection risk for patients using them.
Legislators Push for VA, DoD to Preferentially Purchase U.S.-Made PPE
As the pandemic numbers rose last spring, the VA discovered what hospital systems across the country were learning—that the usual supply chains for personal protective equipment (PPE) could not handle the demand, and the gray market was rife with price-gouging and low-quality products.
From Curbside Delivery to Drive-Thru Pickup, Military Pharmacies Adapt
The coronavirus shook up prescription delivery in March, and military pharmacies might never be the same again.
Houston, Miami VAMCs Participate in Tocilizumab Trial
HOUSTON—The Michael E. DeBakey VAMC in Houston and the Bruce W. Carter VAMC in Miami are among nearly 70 locations across the world participating in a randomized double-blind clinical trial of an immunomodulator, tocilizumab, for patients with severe pneumonia...
VA Analysis Finds Significant Benefit for Statins in Veterans 75 and Older
Cholesterol Drug Use Linked to 25% Reduced Risk of All-Cause Death BOSTON – In recent years, increased focus has been on deprescribing preventive medication for older patients. The concern has been polypharmacy and related risks from taking too many drugs. But what if...
TKA Outcomes Linked to Inappropriate Medications Among Veterans
ATLANTA—The American Geriatrics Society (AGS) Beers Criteria is a list of potentially inappropriate medications that are typically best avoided by older adults in most circumstances or under specific situations, such as in certain diseases or conditions. A study in...
Diabetes Drug Metformin Improves PTSD Symptoms in Veterans
NEW ORLEANS—U.S. veterans have a high prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder, but the search for effective medications continues. A presentation at the American Diabetes Association’s 80th Scientific Sessions raised the possibility that a common diabetes drug...
Is a Modified Paleolithic Diet Safe, Effective for MS-Associated Fatigue?
Study Recommends Some Supplementation But Generally Approves IOWA CITY, IA—With judicious use of the type of supplements found at the pharmacy, a restrictive diet is showing promise for improving some symptoms of multiple sclerosis. Based on preliminary studies...
Rural Areas Present Challenges for Gathering Medication History
BIRMINGHAM, AL—Even more than other veterans, those in rural areas often see providers and obtain medications outside the VA system, in many cases because the closest VA facility might be distant from their home or they have a primary care provider in their community....
Hydroxychloroquine Didn’t Reduce Death, Ventilation in Veterans With COVID-19
COLUMBIA, SC—A VA study has put to rest, at least temporarily, claims that hydroxychloroquine, alone or in combination with azithromycin, is highly effective in treating COVID-19 infection. In fact, a study appearing on the medRxiv preprint server identified increased...