QUICK HITS
1
Mark Cuban Launched His Generic Online Pharmacy
According to a recent USA Today article, billionaire Mark Cuban has entered the online pharmacy sector with a mission to lower prescription drug costs. The Mark Cuban Cost Plus Drug Company will offer drugs for diabetes, heart health, gastrointestinal issues, mental health, cancer, and antibiotics. The company’s press release gave the example of Imatinib, a leukemia drug that costs $9,657 per month and a price of $120 per month with a voucher. Cuban’s company will offer the same drug for $47 per month. Cuban’s direct-to-consumer model aims to eliminate middlemen and their fees to essentially offer prescription drugs at wholesale prices.
2
Home COVID-19 Tests Exclude Blind People
A New York Times article discussed COVID-19 tests and accessibility to blind people. Because many can’t drive themselves to testing facilities, and most tests require precisely-placed liquid drops that require eyesight, many blind people opt to self-isolate rather than test regularly. There are some workarounds that can help including video apps like Be My Eyes and Aira. Pregnancy test tech could be modified that uses battery-operated motors that transform chemical changes on strips into raised bumps that can be read like braille. Another solution could be tests that change in smell or temperature to indicate results. However, scent isn’t always available for patients affected by the virus.
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Medical Drone Saves First Heart Attack Patient in Sweden
According to The Verge, a drone flew a defibrillator [AED] to a 71-year-old man who a heart attack while shoveling snow. Luckily, a bystander was a doctor on his way to work, and he used the AED and provided CPR to save the man’s life. The drone was developed with the Center for Resuscitation Science at the Karolinska Institutet, SOS Alarm, and Region Västra Götaland. In their pilot study, 14 heart attack alerts were eligible for drones. In 12 of those cases, drones were deployed, and seven of them arrived before ambulances.
Casts for Pet Fractures Get a Big Upgrade
An astounding 60% of animals with casts experience additional injuries because casts aren’t designed for their specific anatomy. This can cause sores, pain, and stiffness for man’s best friend, and since they can’t communicate the discomfort, complications can progress quickly. Thankfully, a recent NEWSWIRE article discussed a new suite of splints that are designed around the specific anatomy of animals. OrthoPets just launched the splints, which are made from breathable and heat-molded moodcast material, which is both stronger and lighter than fiberglass. The pre-shaped casts give pets a wider range of mobility, allowing them to move naturally and prevent sores and discomfort for quicker healing without complications.
TIM HAYES, CONTRIBUTING EDITOR
5
This COVID-19 Vaccine Doesn’t Require Cold Chain
A recent Medgadget article discussed a new type of vaccine that doesn’t require cold chain for transport. The vaccine, which was developed by researchers at the University of Queensland and Vaxxas, comes via a high-density microarray patch for a minimally invasive delivery without the use of needles. However, the most impressive part is the formulation’s stability; it can be stored for a month at room temperature, and a week at 104 degrees Fahrenheit. A video with more info can be seen at: hcpgo.to/397
6
Sunken Boat Spills Billions of ‘Nurdles’ into Indian Ocean
A recent article from The Guardian discussed the X-Press Pearl container ship that sank in the Indian Ocean in May. The heavy fuel oil onboard was expected to be the largest source of pollution, but it was actually the 87 containers containing 1,680 tonnes of nurdles that spilled from the flaming wreckage. Nurdles are lentil-sized pellets, aka “pre-production plastic pellets” that are the building blocks for all plastic products, including packaging. According to the UN, it is the largest plastic spill in history. The greatest impact of the spill is on sea animals—which are also the main source of protein for 40% of Sri Lanka’s population—who mistake the tiny pellets as food. Nurdles also fragment into nanoparticles with more complex hazards in the environment, and spread with the ocean’s currents.
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8 | Healthcare Packaging • January/February 2022
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