An insulin surprise

Insulin has to be refrigerated after it’s opened, right? Guess what? No, no it doesn’t. In parts of the world where electricity is a luxury, “patients’ lives have practically revolved around going to and from the hospital to receive insulin.”

But researchers working in and with a Kenyan refugee camp decided to test that idea, storing insulin between 77 and 99 degrees for weeks. Good thing they did.

They discovered that even without refrigeration, insulin kept at the camp’s tropical temperatures was safe to use for four weeks — a revelation that could be life-changing for diabetes patients around the world.

How it that possible? One researcher explained: “Every protein goes towards degradation when it’s heated, but there are proteins that can go back when you cool them down again, and insulin seems to be one of them.”

Listen closely

Those aren’t voices in your head — that’s Amelia Island calling you!

The Georgia Pharmacy Convention room block is open at the Omni Amelia Island Don’t-Call-It-A-Plantation! Remember: You have to book your room separately from convention registration, so get that reservation in ASAP. (Convention registration opens March 15.)

Get the info, the links, and the GPhA room rate at GPhAConvention.com!

Liquid aspirin? What will they think of next?

The FDA has approved PLx Pharma’s Vazalore liquid-filled aspirin capsule. The selling point: It can deliver the aspirin to a specific spot in the GI tract and “prevent the ulceration and other issues that arise in people who take daily low doses of the drug.”

All in the delivery

Persistent UTIs are a big problem for a lot of folks. There’s treatment, but not a vaccine … until now (maybe). Duke researchers say they’ve found a way to eliminate persistent UTIs.

Actually, it’s not as much about a new vaccine as about an new way to administer it.

Right now, immune systems will repair a UTI’s damage, but not (for whatever reason) actually kill the infection. “This causes bacteria to never fully clear, living on in the bladder to attack again.”

So the immunologists did what seems obvious: They administered the vaccine directly into the bladder. And … bingo.

The researchers reported that bladder-immunized mice effectively fought off infecting E. coli and eliminated all residual bladder bacteria, suggesting the site of administration could be an important consideration in determining the effectiveness of a vaccine.

(And because the vaccine itself is already approved, clinical studies could happen much faster.)

What’s up in Atlanta

Our most important legislation — vaccine expansion — awaits its turn in the House, but some other interesting bills were introduced: Think “pharmacy care,” cannabis and THC legislation, and more. Read all about it in Greg Reybold’s Week 7 Legislative Update.

Covid-19 quickies

Don’t panic: Swollen lymph nodes after Covid vaccination are fairly common, sparking cancer fears.

More variants* than Spider-Man reboots: Today’s scary Covid variant is from … Brazil.

Dogs and cats, living together: Merck will use two of its facilities to produce the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, with logistical support from the DoD.

Francisco Franco is still dead: “WHO expert panel strongly advises against use of hydroxychloroquine to prevent Covid-19.”

Variant? Mutation? Strain? Know the difference.

It’s all plants to me

Telling someone “eat your fruits and veggies” is sooooo 2019. We need specifics! Thankfully, the American Heart Association has them. Ready?

[insert drumroll here] Two servings of fruit, three of vegetables.

Now, go debate how to classify tomatoes.

Non-pharma story to make your hair stand on end

Here’s an unexpected pandemic side effect: When dorms are empty, other residents move in.