Scoping Review Assesses Active Surveillance Systems for Antivirals and Corticosteroids in COVID-19
Photo by Marcus L / Unsplash
Key Takeaway
Recognize active surveillance supports regulatory decisions for COVID-19 drugs despite standardization gaps.
This publication is a scoping review examining active surveillance systems related to COVID-19 treatments. The authors searched global regulatory agency websites, registries, and electronic databases including MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library. From 9,183 literature records, 15 publications were identified for inclusion. The scope covers medications such as antivirals, antibiotics, hydroxychloroquine, and corticosteroids used in the pandemic response.
The review synthesizes arguments regarding the utility of active surveillance systems rather than presenting pooled effect sizes or primary outcome data. Authors highlight the essential role of active surveillance in generating timely real-world evidence. This evidence supports clinical and regulatory decision-making processes during public health emergencies. It serves as a framework for understanding how data is collected post-approval or during trials.
The authors acknowledge specific limitations within the current landscape of active surveillance. Notably, there are gaps in transparency and standardization across the identified systems. These inconsistencies may affect the comparability and reliability of data generated through these mechanisms. The review does not report specific adverse event rates or safety outcomes from the included records.
Despite limitations, the review underscores the contribution of active surveillance to healthcare system resilience. Clinicians should recognize the value of these systems for monitoring medication safety and efficacy in real-world settings. Future efforts should address the noted gaps to enhance data quality. Understanding these systems helps providers interpret evolving safety signals for approved therapies.
More on COVID
Systematic review identifies specific medications significantly associated with drug-induced hyperpigmentation across diverse drug classes
These Common Meds Might Be Darkening Your Skin
A systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated twenty-two studies regarding the incidence of drug-induced hyperpigmentation.
A major review reveals many common medicines can cause noticeable skin darkening.
Review of RISE-mitigation strategies in Ghana shows high immunization coverage and improved oxygen access
Ghana reduced oxygen travel distances and improved vaccine coverage with new pandemic strategies
This review uses mixed qualitative and quantitative approaches to evaluate RISE-mitigation strategies in Ghana. The analysis covers 10 novel…
New strategies in Ghana helped get oxygen closer to patients and reached 93% of people with vaccines while treating most confirmed cases.
Narrative review on COVID-19 and gut microbiome disruption and immune effects
Microbiome disruption may link SARS-CoV-2 to long-term health issues
This narrative review synthesizes evidence on COVID-19 and the intestinal microbiome. It finds SARS-CoV-2 infection can induce dysbiosis and…
A review suggests the virus may alter gut bacteria, immune signals, and brain health, highlighting a need for One Health pandemic preparedne…
Speleotherapy improves asthma control and breathing patterns in patients with respiratory conditions
Speleotherapy improves breathing patterns and symptoms for asthma, COPD, and Long COVID patients
A randomized trial of 208 patients across Germany, Austria, and Italy found that a three-week speleotherapy course enhanced asthma control a…
A three-week course in mineral-rich caves helped people with asthma, COPD, or Long COVID breathe easier and feel better, though lung functio…
View Original Abstract ↓
Urgent response to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic necessitated rapid implementation of experimental, re-purposed, or off-label treatment strategies, which can be monitored via active surveillance (AS). Using a scoping review methodology, we summarized AS systems used to assess the safety and effectiveness of health products for COVID-19 treatment. We searched electronic databases (MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library), global regulatory agency websites, and registries, and implemented alerts until August 2022. The records with data source, active data access, and timely reporting that were applied in COVID-19 treatment were considered eligible. Fifteen publications to describe 13 AS systems were identified from a total of 9,183 literature records. Six systems were designed for safety, one for effectiveness, three for both, and three provided descriptive treatment data. Eleven systems were repurposed, and two were created during the pandemic. Twelve were initiated for COVID-19 in 2020, and one existing system was applied for a safety study in 2022. Various data sources, technical tools, procedures, and study designs were applied to provide active data access and timely analyses of safety and effectiveness of antivirals, antibiotics, hydroxychloroquine, corticosteroid, and others used for COVID-19. The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the development and repurposing of AS to address urgent challenges in evaluating the safety and effectiveness of therapeutic interventions. In this scoping review, we highlight the essential role of AS in generating timely real-world evidence, supporting clinical and regulatory decision-making, and contributing to healthcare system resilience. The findings also reveal gaps in transparency and standardization, highlighting the need for integrated, ethically governed AS infrastructures that support data privacy, public trust, and timely evidence generation for future public health emergencies.
Mazdutide monotherapy reduces HbA1c and promotes weight loss in Chinese adults with type 2 diabetes over 48 weeks
New Drug Lowers Sugar and Shrinks Weight in Diabetes
Related in Drug Pipeline
Rituximab rechallenge caused severe hypersensitivity reaction in a patient with membranous nephropathy
A third Rituximab dose caused severe shock in a man with kidney disease
This case report describes a 52-year-old male with biopsy-proven primary membranous nephropathy who received a third 1 g infusion of rituxim…
A man with kidney disease developed life-threatening shock after a third Rituximab infusion, highlighting the need for careful monitoring an…
Post-marketing data on CGRP inhibitors show paucity of data and additional risks from chronic biologic use
Post-marketing review highlights safety gaps for migraine CGRP drugs
This narrative review examines monoclonal antibodies and Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide (CGRP) inhibitors for migraine in the post-marketin…
A review of migraine treatments notes limited data on long-term risks for CGRP inhibitors, urging caution during active monitoring.
Atractylenolide III shows neuroprotective effects in preclinical CNS disorder models
Atractylenolide III shows promise for brain and nerve injuries in lab models
This narrative review summarizes preclinical evidence that Atractylenolide III exerts neuroprotective effects in models of cognitive impairm…
Atractylenolide III looks like a helpful option for brain and nerve damage in early lab tests, though human trials are needed.
Exosomes show promise as biomarkers and therapeutic vectors in diabetic complications
Review suggests exosomes may help target multiple diabetes complications
This narrative review explores the role of exosomes in diabetic kidney disease, retinopathy, and peripheral neuropathy. It highlights their …
A narrative review suggests exosomes might inform strategies to target multiple diabetes complications together, though clinical standardiza…
From Other Specialties
Ultrasound-facilitated catheter-directed alteplase reduces early recurrence in intermediate-risk pulmonary embolism
New trial shows ultrasound-guided clot-busting drugs help some patients with serious lung clots recover faster and safely
This randomized controlled trial evaluated ultrasound-facilitated, catheter-directed fibrinolysis with alteplase plus anticoagulation versus…
A large study found that using ultrasound to guide clot-busting medicine helped patients with serious lung clots avoid bad outcomes. The tre…
Pooled cytomegalovirus retinitis prevalence is 3% among people with HIV in sub-Saharan Africa
Cytomegalovirus retinitis risk varies across sub-Saharan Africa regions
This systematic review and meta-analysis synthesized data from 1931 people living with HIV in sub-Saharan Africa. The pooled prevalence of c…
A meta-analysis found that cytomegalovirus retinitis prevalence in people living with HIV ranges from less than 1% to 7% depending on the re…
Probiotics reduce nasal and eye symptom scores in children with allergic rhinitis
Probiotics may help children with allergic rhinitis nasal and eye symptoms
This systematic review and meta-analysis of 1,739 children found that probiotics, prebiotics, or synbiotics significantly reduced nasal and …
A large review found that probiotics, prebiotics, or synbiotics reduced nasal and eye symptoms in children with allergic rhinitis compared t…
Women with Type 1 Diabetes have a 2.10 times higher risk of female sexual dysfunction compared to age-matched controls
Women with Type 1 Diabetes face a higher risk of sexual dysfunction than controls
This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated the prevalence and risk of female sexual dysfunction in women with Type 1 Diabetes. The p…
A large review found that women with Type 1 Diabetes are significantly more likely to experience sexual dysfunction compared to healthy wome…