Quick Hits: FDA Says U.S. is Running Low on Anxiety Meds

A common antidepressant is in short supply as prescriptions rise in the United States.

Jun 8th, 2020

Zoloft

Verywell Mind

A recent NBC News article discussed a surge in demand for anxiety and depression medications that are causing shortages. The FDA posted reports of shortages of the common antidepressant Zoloft and it’s generic equivalent, sertraline, just two days after a Johns Hopkins survey that revealed increased feelings of distress and despair in U.S. adults.

Pfizer, maker of Zoloft, says its manufacturing can keep up with existing demand, but cannot keep pace with new prescriptions. Accord Healthcare, Inc., maker of sertraline, said it can’t source the drug’s active ingredient “due to the impacts caused by COVID-19,” and estimates a 60-day shortage.

TerraCycle Regulated Waste has launched an easy-to-use recycling system for single-use gloves and masks through their line of EasyPak Containers.

TerraCycle Regulated Waste Develops PPE Recycling System to Help Keep Essential Workers and the Planet Safe

Essential businesses no longer need to choose between their workers’ well-being and the health of the environment.

Getty Images Robot Employment (1)

Workers Wanted? Contact the Robot Employment Agency

Start-up MusashiAI introduces intelligent autonomous robots for quality inspection and forklift driving—allowing the redistribution of human labor to more value-added jobs.

Collection of hand sanitizers made to be ready-to-go and available as gels, wipes, and sprays.

As COVID-19 Concerns Continue, WWP Beauty Launches Line of Personal Protection Products

A collection of moisturizing hand sanitizers that are available in three different formats.

Getty Images 1127072463 5e7a15be2627a

Poseidon: Call to Participate in Pre-Commercial Ocean Freight Trials

COVID-19 immunization will need a staggering collaborative effort in intercontinental transportation. Pharmaceutical manufacturers are invited to register their interest in participating in the final Poseidon trials.

Screen Shot 2020 08 07 At 10 44 39 Am

Variable Barcodes to Boost COVID-19 Test Kit Experience

Scannable point of care tests were designed to increase test accuracy, collect data, and take the guesswork out of reading results.

Screen Shot 2020 07 31 At 12 42 00 Pm

HCP Editors Talk: COVID-19 and Manufacturing

In this episode, we discuss concerns about cybersecurity, disaster prep, and using automation to work toward manufacturing a vaccine.

Getty Images Resized

Hand Sanitizer Spike Here to Stay

U.K. co-packers’ association reports that inquiries for personal care items rocketed by more than 500% shortly after the coronavirus lockdown was implemented.

Rendering of the Korozon System prototype for HVAC Systems

Industrial Air Purification System for Pathogen Disinfection

Ship & Shore Environmental's Korozon System is innovated to bring peace of mind back to the public amidst the rise of COVID-19 cases.

Volpak Lfat Tablet

Volpak Introduces Next Generation of FAT

Volpak, a Coesia company, developed a live remote FAT machine testing tool in response to clients who need to work remotely on machines and systems.

The Cobot Expo will take place online July 28-30.

Cobot Deployment Shines in COVID-19 Pandemic

Leading up to its virtual Cobot Expo this week, Universal Robots highlighted several cases where small companies have been using collaborative automation to keep production going amid the crisis.

Fluoroscan Mini C Arm Cover 600x600

EDM Releases New Product Line Designed to Protect Patients During COVID-19

New equipment drapes protect medical imaging equipment and combat cross-contamination.

Getty Images 10134048 Small

Packaging Pros Bullish on Security & Salary Despite Uncertainty

Packaging seems insulated from much of the economic fallout of COVID-19, though not everyone is fairing equally. Women, for instance, seem to be entering the industry, and soon should be matriculating into higher salaried positions left by retiring men.

CPhI Festival of Pharma offers New Digital Experience in 2020

CPhI Worldwide in-person event now confirmed for 2021, with new digital exhibition launched to connect the global pharma industry in 2020.

Getty Images 1166343970

Recycling Takes Another Hit During Pandemic, Part II

The Coronavirus pandemic is creating a growing waste crisis even as we see images of the earth’s environment clearing from less pollution. A few months into the crisis, and the numbers are staggering.

Getty Images 116406615

Q&A: MIT Operations Researcher Talks COVID-19 Vaccination Hurdles

An expert discusses some of the environmental, research, and packaging concerns in supplying populations with a COVID-19 vaccine.

A wide variety of process steps are required for the filling of vaccines – from washing and sterilizing the vials to filling and closing. All system components are tested and accepted as part of the CSPE approach at Optima in Schwaebisch Hall.

OPTIMA Supporting Catalent with New High-Speed Vial Filling Line for COVID-19 Vaccine Program

Fast track delivery of a complete filling solution under isolator

Pharma Packaging Companies Commit to Supply for COVID-19 Fight

Stevanato Group, SCHOTT, and Gerresheimer confirm the readiness to support future Covid-19 Vaccine with pharmaceutical containers.

Catalent Signs Agreement with AstraZeneca to Manufacture COVID-19 Vaccine Candidate

The agreement accelerates the rapid scale-up of capacity over the coming months to support the dedicated production of AZD1222.

Sm Graphic Becker

Hershey's Expectations for Suppliers during COVID-19

Hershey's Josh Becker explains how the chocolate giant has adapted and what it expects from visitors to its facilities.

HDA Outlines Principles for Pandemic and Public Health Emergency Response

More in COVID-19

UnPACKed with PMMI Update on PACK EXPO International & Healthcare Packaging EXPO,

OEM COVID-19 #14 - Update on PACK EXPO International and Healthcare Packaging EXPO

PMMI's Laura Thompson shares the latest and greatest on planning for November's event, including variables like virtual and hybrid options.

Automated transfer station of product into coating machine

SiO2 Materials Science Receives $143 Million Contract from U.S. Government

Contract to accelerate capacity scale-up of advanced primary packaging platform for COVID-19 vaccines and therapeutics. Company will add 200 high-skilled, manufacturing jobs.

AmerisourceBergen and the Role of Local Philanthropy During COVID-19

Realizing the critical role that local philanthropic efforts can play in addressing global health emergencies, the AmerisourceBergen Foundation committed $1 million to support communities, individuals and nonprofits affected by COVID-19.

The OPTIMA BCT-200 assembly line for blood collection tubes has many functions. These include cleaning, bacteria reduction, various dispensing stations for additives, drying and vacuum sealing all the way up to the final packaging.

SARS-CoV-2 and Safe Blood Tests

OPTIMA BCT-200 assembly line specifically for blood collection tubes

Nancy Cobb, Owner, Organizational Development Consultant, Partners in Possibilities

OEM COVID-19 #13 - Adapting Industry Training During COVID-19

Typical industry training will be anything but typical as companies pivot to fit new safety guidelines.

Automated Throat Swabber

Quick Hits: New Robots Perform COVID-19 Swab Tests

Robotic engineers in Denmark developed a device that automatically collects throat swabs.

Bild2 Die Sensor People

Leuze Jumps on ‘Alternating Quarantine’ Concept to Keep Business on Track

The sensor supplier is defying recession forecasts by keeping its workers on a rotating shift model, keeping them socially distanced and avoiding Kurzarbeit, Germany’s short-term work program.

Getty Images 487041639 Clinical Trial

Almac Clinical Technologies: Advanced IRT System

Simplify is a next-gen interactive response technology system that enables faster clinical trial startup processes.

CPhI Worldwide 2020 Implements new ‘Informa AllSecure Standard’

Pharma industry’s organized gathering will run new global biosafety measures to ensure the highest standards of onsite hygiene and attendee safety.

How Amcor Prepared as Regions Reopen during COVID-19

OEM COVID-19 #12 - Readiness Tips as Regions Reopen

Vice president of safety shares the global policies that have helped Amcor's 35,000-plus employees return to work as safely as possible.

Faceshield Mock Up Image 04

RRD Produces Face Shields to Protect Customers and Communities

Adopting CDC’s perpetual cleaning and maintenance guidelines calls for all hands on deck. Lackner pitches in on “Gray Lighting.”

Doing the Next Right Thing with Paperboard Packaging

Colbert Packaging operations during the pandemic—the same, but different.