COVID-19: Page 14


  • A sign for the Food And Drug Administration is seen outside of the headquarters on July 20, 2020, in White Oak, Maryland.
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    Sarah Silbiger via Getty Images
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    PMA apps could hit record in 2021, pressuring a pandemic-stressed FDA

    Despite increased workloads from the coronavirus crisis, the agency is also on track to issue record numbers of safety warnings and letters to healthcare providers in 2021, according to a Wells Fargo analysis.

    By July 2, 2021
  • Abbott BinaxNOW home COVID-19 test
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    Abbott

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    COVID-19 antigen testing on par with PCR when used often: NIH-funded study

    The two diagnostic methods were equally effective in detecting SARS-CoV-2 infection. The results could be good news for antigen test makers Abbott, Becton Dickinson and Quidel.   

    By July 1, 2021
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    Kendall Davis/MedTech Dive, original photos courtesy of Abbott and Dexcom
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    Roundup: Trial results, looming product releases fuel diabetes tech competition

    In the first half of the year, the space is meeting Wall Street’s high expectations for 2021. Here’s a roundup of MedTech Dive’s coverage of the market, including from this week’s American Diabetes Association meeting.

    June 30, 2021
  • Abbott Laboratories
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    Courtesy of Abbott
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    Abbott gets CE mark to sell COVID-19 antigen test directly to consumers in Europe

    The company’s rapid Panbio diagnostic received the marking in January for asymptomatic coronavirus screening. However, the test missed half of COVID-19 cases in people without symptoms, according to a recent Irish study.  

    By June 28, 2021
  • Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C.
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    Permission granted by E.A. Crunden
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    Lawmakers reintroduce diagnostic regulation bill that split the industry

    The VALID Act would create a risk-based regulatory framework for in vitro diagnostics and laboratory-developed tests. ACLA, whose members include Quest and LabCorp, is reviewing the bill but has objected to earlier drafts.

    By June 25, 2021
  • Medicare lacks cyber oversight of hospitals’ networked medical devices: OIG

    Without proper cybersecurity controls, these devices can be compromised with the potential for patient harm, according to the HHS watchdog. OIG wants CMS to do more to address hospital vulnerabilities.

    By June 24, 2021
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    An Rong Xu via Getty Images
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    AdvaMed urges Biden to prioritize medical supplies as industries suffer shipping constraints

    CEO Scott Whitaker said transport challenges, including shipping container shortages and insufficient trucking capacity, have impeded the ability of medtechs to deliver products while also significantly driving up costs.

    By June 23, 2021
  • Healthcare Doctor One year into COVID-19 crisis
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    Adeline Kon/MedTech Dive
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    Black patients were more likely to die of COVID-19 largely due to inferior hospitals

    A recent study in JAMA Network Open showed how inequities in housing influence where Black people seek care and how that affects the quality of care they receive.

    By Samantha Liss • June 21, 2021
  • Siemens Healthineers CLINITEST rapid COVID-19 antigen test
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    Courtesy of Siemens Healthineers
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    UnitedHealthcare skimping on COVID-19 test pay: California doctors group

    The California Medical Association says UnitedHealthcare still is not covering the cost of all COVID-19 diagnostic testing, despite state and federal guidelines that require the services to be provided at no cost to patients.

    By June 21, 2021
  • Medicare CGM eligibility widened in potential boon for Abbott, Dexcom

    CMS opened up coverage for therapeutic continuous glucose monitors, eliminating a rule that patients must use a blood glucose monitor and require at least four self-monitoring blood glucose tests per day to have devices covered.

    By June 18, 2021
  • UK extends OK of Innova COVID-19 test criticized by FDA in warning letter

    While U.S. regulators told the public to put Innova tests in the trash, a review by the U.K. counterpart found no problems that warranted further actions.

    By June 18, 2021
  • Abbott Laboratories
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    Courtesy of Abbott
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    Abbott’s Panbio antigen test misses half of asymptomatic COVID-19 cases in Irish study

    The finding led Ireland to recommend against using single, standalone antigen kits for the purposes of such screening.

    By June 15, 2021
  • Humana
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    Courtesy of Humana
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    Humana acquires Onehome to pursue value-based home health strategy

    The deal for Miramar, Florida-based Onehome follows the insurer’s recent purchase of home health giant Kindred at Home for $5.7 billion.

    By Rebecca Pifer • June 15, 2021
  • Transmission electron micrograph of a SARS-CoV-2 virus particle, isolated from a patient.
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    National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. (2020). “Novel Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2” [Image]. Retrieved from Flickr.
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    FDA blasts Innova for shipping unapproved COVID-19 test, using false or misleading labeling

    The agency hit the California-based medtech with a flurry of actions on Thursday, firing off a warning letter alongside notice of a Class I recall and a press release telling the public to stop using the antigen test. 

    By Updated June 11, 2021
  • Medtronic’s FDA approval sets up fight for recharge-free pain market

    The medtech sees Vanta helping it gain share in a market it has struggled to penetrate in the past. Abbott Laboratories, Boston Scientific and specialist spinal cord stimulation rival Nevro are also competing.

    By June 11, 2021
  • California Attorney General Xavier Becerra, President Joe Biden's nominee for HHS secretary, at his confirmation hearing before the Senate health committee.
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    Retrieved from C-SPAN on February 23, 2021
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    HHS warns providers, insurers COVID-19 testing must be free for patients

    The American Clinical Laboratory Association, which includes Quest Diagnostics and LabCorp, has complained that guidance on the topic had only served to muddy what they saw as clear congressional mandates.

    By June 10, 2021
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    Fotolia
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    ‘Covid hangover’ to spur health costs to rise 6.5% in 2022, PwC poll predicts

    PwC found, however, that a greater reliance on lower-cost sites of care like virtual visits and retail clinics could help offset higher usage of medical services.

    By Hailey Mensik • June 9, 2021
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    Amazon offers COVID-19 test online to consumers with a website for viewing results

    The tech giant’s coronavirus diagnostic, which received FDA emergency authorization in March, was originally designed for use by company employees but is now available for $39.99 to the public.

    By Updated June 16, 2021
  • BD Veritor system for rapid detection of SARS-CoV-2
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    Courtesy of BD/PRNewswire
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    BD doubles down on COVID-19 testing outlook, despite Abbott warning about demand drop-off

    CEO Tom Polen told investors the company stands by its guidance for the rest of the year of $1.8 billion to $1.9 billion in revenue for coronavirus diagnostics, regardless of “anything our competitors have announced.”

    By June 8, 2021
  • Transmission electron micrograph of SARS-CoV-2 virus particles, isolated from a patient
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    National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. (2020). “Novel Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2” [Micrograph]. Retrieved from Flickr.
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    OraSure gets EUAs to enter shrinking COVID-19 antigen test market

    The technology is differentiated from other rapid antigen tests but is coming to market amid what Abbott characterized as a “sharp and rapid” drop in demand.

    By June 8, 2021
  • Abbott BinaxNOW home COVID-19 test
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    Abbott

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    Abbott’s COVID-19 testing surprise suggests demand softening faster than sector forecast

    The medtech on Tuesday cut its 2021 outlook blaming a sharp, rapid decline in demand for its coronavirus-related tests on vaccinations. The sudden hit to test volumes could be a harbinger for the diagnostics sector.  

    By June 2, 2021
  • Abbott Laboratories
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    Courtesy of Abbott
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    Abbott cuts 2021 outlook, blaming rapid decline in COVID-19 testing demand

    CEO Robert Ford described a “sharp and rapid” drop-off in demand, a trend the company expects to continue. Shares slumped 7% on the news.    

    By June 1, 2021
  • Analysts tip Edwards’ US TAVR growth at 90% in April

    A Jefferies review of hospital data suggests the medtech could comfortably beat the current analyst growth forecast, but comes with multiple caveats.

    By May 27, 2021
  • Medtronic revenue up 37% as electives make a comeback

    CEO Geoff Martha told investors Thursday most businesses are returning to near pre-COVID-19 growth rates, though he admitted there is “work to do” in areas like neurovascular and diabetes.

    By May 27, 2021
  • Abbott scientist creates antibody test kit samples.
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    Courtesy of Abbott, PRNewswire
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    HHS commits $4.8B to COVID-19 testing for the uninsured

    The American Clinical Laboratory Association, with members including LabCorp and Quest Diagnostics, had urged the Biden administration in February to make more money available.

    By May 26, 2021