The price of a drug should be based on its therapeutic benefits – not just what the market will bear
'Orphan drugs' with high price points are being tested as treatments for COVID-19. There's a better way to spur low-cost innovation for new drugs.
Jan. 13, 2021 • ~9 min
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The top scientific breakthrough for 2020 was understanding SARS-CoV-2 and how it causes COVID-19 – and then developing multiple vaccines
The development of multiple vaccines against the virus that causes COVID-19 has been hailed as the breakthrough of 2020. But there were many more supporting discoveries that made this possible.
Dec. 17, 2020 • ~11 min
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What monoclonal antibodies are – and why we need them as well as a vaccine
Monoclonal antibodies are synthetic molecules manufactured in the lab. But do we need them if a vaccine is on its way?
Nov. 16, 2020 • ~9 min
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Death rates have fallen by 18% for hospitalized COVID–19 patients as treatments improve
Death rates for hospitalized COVID-19 patients fell from 25.6% in March to 7.6% in August, according to a new study on three hospitals in New York. A study in the U.K. found similar results.
Nov. 3, 2020 • ~6 min
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Sketchy darknet websites are taking advantage of the COVID-19 pandemic – buyer beware
The global pandemic has fueled illicit online sales of COVID-19 commodities, some of which are dangerous or illegal. Researchers are assessing the size and reach of this underground market.
Aug. 19, 2020 • ~7 min
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Ending the pandemic will take global access to COVID-19 treatment and vaccines – which means putting ethics before profits
The high cost of pharmaceuticals often means only the richest patients get lifesaving medicines. As coronavirus drugs emerge, it will require hard, creative work to ensure they're available to all.
July 16, 2020 • ~9 min
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Which drugs and therapies are proven to work, and which ones don't, for COVID-19?
During the last six months, news reports have mentioned dozens of drugs that may be effective against the new coronavirus. Here we lay out the evidence and reveal which ones are proven to work. Or not.
July 1, 2020 • ~7 min
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Coronavirus: scientists promoting chloroquine and remdesivir are acting like sports rivals
A simple head-to-head trial would resolve this conflict once and for all.
May 11, 2020 • ~7 min
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Remdesivir explained – what makes this drug work against viruses?
Gilead's drug Remdesivir showed preliminary positive results in clinical trials. But what is this drug and how, exactly, does it work?
May 6, 2020 • ~10 min
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Coronavirus: could the pandemic be controlled using existing vaccines like MMR or BCG?
Vaccines for other diseases are being examined for their protective effects against coronavirus.
April 21, 2020 • ~5 min
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