This week we bring you up to speed on a lot of COVID-related news, despite the emergence of Omicron, there is positive news; Evusheld has become the first pre-exposure prophylaxis for COVID-19; Data shows that the Pfizer-BioNTech booster dose offers protection against Omicron; Monoclonal antibody therapy is authorized for kids; Heterologous boosting may be more beneficial than homogeneous; and important info about some Veklury lots being recalled.

We made it to 100! This week Pfizer seeks Emergency Use Authorization for their COVID oral antiviral; A meta-analysis found commonly prescribed drugs were linked to orthostatic hypotension; A novel treatment is approved for polycythemia vera; A new program has been cleared to allow individuals to carry out remote endoscopy procedures; And the largest to date psilocybin trial shows promise in treatment-resistant depression.

This week there's positive news for the COVID-19 oral antiviral candidate, Paxlovid; The CDC expands a recall for aromatherapy sprays connected to fatal cases of a rare tropical disease; The first eye drop to treat presbyopia is approved; An alternative to naloxone gets fast tracked; And a study compares the migraine treatments erenumab and topiramate.

The FDA votes on whether the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine should be authorized in 5 to 11 year olds; The Moderna vaccine elicits strong antibody responses in pediatrics; Trial results shed light on booster dose efficacy; Shingrix is recommended for immunocompromised patients; A novel treatment is approved for macular edema associated with uveitis; And Pepaxto is withdrawn following new findings.

This week: big news announced in COVID-19, with the FDA stating that mixing and matching of vaccines for the booster dose is authorized. The first interchangeable biosimilar to Humira is approved. Also there's approvals for dry eye disease, pain management and opioid overdoses.

This week the USPSTF update aspirin recommendations for those 60 years and older; The FDA take a stance on needle-free devices for injecting dermal fillers; REMS requirements are updated for isotretinoin products; A new treatment approved for pediatric congenital athymia; An emergency use request submitted for an oral antiviral COVID treatment; And the FDA advisory panel vote on boosters for the Moderna vaccine.

Dr Preeti Malani, Chief Health Officer at UM, joined us to talk about the current state of the COVID-19 pandemic, including vaccine hesitancy, mandates, boosters and how the future may unfold.

The Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine gets Emergency Use Authorization for booster dose in certain individuals; A smaller dose appears safe and effective in children; Janssen share booster data for their vaccine; A survey sheds light on parents' thoughts on child COVID vaccination; Remdesivir efficacy data in COVID-19 patients, And Opzelura is approved for atopic dermatitis.

This week the FDA weigh up mandatory education for opioid prescribers; There's an increase in the sale of strong psychoactive THC products; Brukinsa and Exkivity gain approvals for lymphoma and NSCLC, respectively; And a number of supplement companies received FDA warning letters.

This week we have news on pediatric influenza vaccine guidance; Moderna submit data for their COVID-19 booster dose; There's new FDA warnings for some JAK inhibitors; Trudhesa nasal spray is approved; And the FDA places a clinical hold on a gene therapy for phenylketonuria.