|Articles|March 26, 2020

COVID-19 Treatment: Updates March 19-24, 2020

Erin K. McCreary, PharmD, BCPS, BCIDP; and Jason M. Pogue, PharmD, BCPS, BCIDP, provide an update of published literature on experimental treatments for COVID-19 from the past week.

Clinicians and researchers across the globe are working with fervor to mitigate the world pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). New data emerge daily, and it is imperative we embrace a deliberate calm to scrutinize the evidence and report it intentionally, despite our overwhelming desire to find an effective treatment. We previously reviewed published literature on experimental treatments for COVID-19 from December 31, 2019 through March 19, 2020. Here, we provide updates from the past 6 days (!!) as we strive to continually analyze data and optimize patient care. We also encourage readers to check out resources from the Society of Infectious Diseases Pharmacists (SIDP) regarding previously reviewed agents with therapeutic potential for COVID-19.

This content is only available as a PDF.

* McCreary is an active member of the Society of Infectious Diseases Pharmacists and an infectious diseases clinical pharmacy at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.

**Pogue is the president of the Society of Infectious Diseases Pharmacist and a clinical professor at the University of Michigan College of Pharmacy.


Related to this article

Inhaled Amikacin Shows Low Resistance Rates in MAC Lung Disease in ENCORE
In the phase 3b ENCORE trial, adding amikacin liposome inhalation suspension (ALIS) to azithromycin and ethambutol significantly improved culture conversion in newly diagnosed MAC lung disease, while treatment-emergent amikacin (2.2%) and macrolide (1.1%) resistance stayed rare. Kevin Winthrop, MD, provides insights around the study.
Measles Update: October 16, 2026
The latest CDC numbers show an 8.1% increase in measles cases from week-to-week, bringing the 2026 US total to 4410 confirmed cases. A CDC disease detective is going to Pennsylvania to aid in the state's massive outbreak, and the agency reports on a rare measles complication that is uniformly fatal.
NFID Survey Finds Respiratory Vaccine Gap Driven by Lack of Clarity, Not Hesitancy
The National Foundation for Infectious Diseases (NFID) recently held its respiratory season kick-off, which included the release of its annual respiratory disease survey. This year, the survey revealed the gap between vaccine support and uptake. Robert Hopkins Jr, MD, medical director of NFID delves deeper into the findings of the survey and the vaccine uptake challenges associated with certain immunizations.
Measles Update: October 9, 2026
The latest CDC numbers show a 5.0% increase of measles cases from week-to-week. The US total reached 4080 confirmed cases, 78% above all of 2025.
FAQ: What You Need to Know About Measles in 2026
With US measles cases nearing 3,900 this year and Pennsylvania reporting its fifth measles-related death, here is a review of how the virus spreads, how it is prevented and managed, and what severe disease looks like.