News from the USA, United States of America

[rvallee]

The immunity debt will be paid any time now. Well, it won't, but somehow people stopped talking about it. It was always total BS, and the fact that total BS has dominated almost all discussion of this topic for years, mostly coming from experts, will never be talked about.

I'm not sure if we can deal with the crisis of credibility and integrity in medicine until we deal with the broader crisis of: everyone seems to lie all the time about everything because this is the best way to get ahead in life. They come hand in hand.

 

[Chandelier]

In the Fragmented Landscape of Long COVID Care, Pharmacists Are Essential | Pharmacy Times

While long COVID remains a complex disease, pharmacists are critical team members for patient symptom validation, managing polypharmacy, and navigating therapy access.

www.pharmacytimes.com

The expert panel included moderators Zanthia Wiley, MD, associate professor of medicine at Emory University School of Medicine and Michael Peluso, MD, assistant professor at University of California San Francisco. Featured panelists were Marta Cerda, Juris Doctor, CEO of ASI Home Care; Melissa Stockwell, MD, MPH, department of pediatrics at Columbia University Irving Medical Center; and Igho Ofotokun, MD, MSc, FIDSA, Grady distinguished professor of medicine at Emory University School of Medicine.

The Essential Role of Pharmacists in the Fragmented Landscape of Long COVID Care

Understanding Long COVID and Its Complexity
Five years after the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, long COVID has emerged as a persistent and complex condition that continues to challenge patients and healthcare providers. Characterized by a wide range of symptoms—such as brain fog, dizziness, inflammation, and respiratory issues—long COVID lacks a clear, universal definition. Experts at the Infectious Disease Week 2025 conference emphasized the importance of multidisciplinary collaboration to address the condition’s diverse impacts and the fragmented nature of current care systems.

Patient Voices and the Realities of Living with Long COVID
Marta Cerda, a panelist and long COVID patient, shared her personal experiences with multiple systemic symptoms, urging the medical community to recognize and validate patient struggles. She highlighted the emotional toll of being disbelieved and the urgent need for comprehensive care and understanding for millions suffering from long COVID.

Challenges in Pediatric and Adolescent Long COVID
Dr. Melissa Stockwell addressed a major misconception: that children are unlikely to suffer from long COVID. She argued the opposite, citing estimates that 2% to 10% of children may be affected, which translates to millions of cases. Challenges in this area include vague symptoms in children, lack of standardized research protocols, and insufficient clinical trials. The RECOVER-Pediatrics initiative is working to develop tools like age-specific indexes to aid diagnosis and research, but more pediatric-focused studies are urgently needed.

Current Therapeutic Limitations
Dr. Igho Ofotokun discussed the difficulties in developing effective treatments for long COVID due to its varied manifestations and poorly understood mechanisms. Current therapeutic efforts fall into three main categories:

• Antivirals: Trials involving nirmatrelvir-ritonavir (Paxlovid) have shown minimal or no benefit for long COVID patients.
• Immune Modulators: Low-dose naltrexone and GLP-1 receptor agonists are being explored for their potential anti-inflammatory effects.
• Symptomatic Relief: Techniques like stellate ganglion block injections may help alleviate certain neurocognitive and inflammatory symptoms.

Pharmacists as Key Team Members in Long COVID Care
As no single treatment currently exists for long COVID, pharmacists play a vital role in patient care. They help validate patient experiences, manage symptoms, and prevent harmful drug interactions—especially important when patients self-prescribe supplements or medications.

Pharmacists act as accessible healthcare providers who can guide patients toward appropriate specialists, educate parents about pediatric long COVID, and help evaluate complex medication regimens. Their ability to monitor polypharmacy and address drug-drug interactions makes them indispensable in long COVID care teams.

Conclusion
While long COVID research and treatment remain in early and uncertain stages, the involvement of pharmacists provides a critical bridge in care. Their expertise in medication management, patient communication, and symptom control makes them essential members of healthcare teams navigating the ongoing challenges of long COVID.

 

[Chandelier]

Traverse City Is Now Home To America's First National Long COVID Treatment Center | The Ticker

The project brings together Dr. Bruce Patterson, formerly of Stanford University and now head of HealthBio, and Dr. Shawn Cole of Celly Health.

HealthBio’s method uses two FDA-approved drugs: maraviroc, typically used for HIV, and atorvastatin, used for high cholesterol.

Traverse City Launches First National Long COVID Treatment Center

A Pioneering Healthcare Collaboration in Northern Michigan

Traverse City, Michigan, is becoming the national hub for long COVID treatment thanks to a new collaboration between Celly Health Medical Group and HealthBio Inc. The new treatment center, based at the Bayview Professional Centre, aims to provide comprehensive, research-based care for the estimated 30 million Americans suffering from long COVID. This condition, recognized by the CDC as symptoms persisting for three months or more after COVID-19 infection, affects roughly 10% of Americans.

The Minds Behind the Mission

The project brings together Dr. Bruce Patterson, formerly of Stanford University and now head of HealthBio, and Dr. Shawn Cole of Celly Health. Patterson moved to northern Michigan in part due to support from local investment firm Boomerang Catapult. His research has focused on diagnosing and treating long COVID using repurposed medications to reduce vascular inflammation.

From Shared Office Space to Shared Mission

Cole and Patterson began collaborating after discovering their offices were in the same building. Cole was drawn to HealthBio’s work, and together they planned the nation’s first dedicated long COVID treatment center. Patterson is also a key member of a national long COVID consortium chaired by U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

Treatment Strategy and Medication Approach

HealthBio’s method uses two FDA-approved drugs: maraviroc, typically used for HIV, and atorvastatin, used for high cholesterol. This combination has been administered to over 12,000 long COVID patients via telemedicine through the Chronic Inflammation Center, which also treats conditions like Lyme disease. The goal is to target and reduce inflammation caused by lingering protein fragments in immune cells.

Why a Physical Location Matters

While telehealth has proven effective, many patients expressed the need for a physical treatment center where they could receive in-person care and access broader primary care services. Celly Health’s national infrastructure and licensing in all 50 states now make that possible. The Traverse City center fulfills this need while continuing to serve patients remotely.

The Broader Vision and National Impact

Although Traverse City will be the first of its kind, Celly Health is planning additional centers across the country. The typical treatment plan spans 6 to 12 weeks and is well-suited to telehealth, minimizing the need for travel. Patterson hopes the center will not only treat patients but also demonstrate the effectiveness of this approach to federal health agencies.

FDA Trials and the Push for Funding

HealthBio has received approval to begin FDA trials for the drug combination but still requires additional funding to proceed. Patterson says some political momentum is building, noting that among the 12,000 treated patients are members of Congress who are now advocating for NIH funding.

If approved, the treatment could gain widespread acceptance, provide insurance coverage for patients, and offer new hope for millions living with long COVID.