What We're Reading: Aerosolized Chemo Trial; Uber, NimbleRx Delivering Prescriptions; COVID-19 Spikes in MO Prisons

Researchers to Test Aerosolized Chemotherapy

Surgical researchers at City of Hope will become the first in the nation to open a clinical trial of aerosolized chemotherapy. The potential method of delivering chemotherapy could become an effective alternative for patients with abdominal cancer who have limited treatment options. When tumors present in ovarian, uterine, gastric, and colorectal cancers spread to the peritoneum in the abdomen, they become difficult to treat using intravenous chemotherapy. The pressurized intraperitoneal aerosolized chemotherapy (PIPAC) will soon be implemented in a multisite 3-year phase 1 clinical trial.

Uber, NimbleRx Partner to Expand Prescription Delivery Services

NimbleRx, an online pharmacy delivery company, has partnered with Uber Health to offer contactless prescription delivery from pharmacies in Seattle, Washington, and Dallas, Texas, according to The Associated Press. The companies hope to expand services to other parts of the country soon. The service is fully integrated with Uber’s platform while NimbleRx works directly with independent and regional pharmacies. NimbleRx already offers next-day delivery to 70% of the US population and same day delivery to 30%. Uber Health is also a HIPAA-secure platform and currently consists of nonemergency medical transportation for patients.

Prisons in Missouri Report Spike in COVID-19 Cases

Missouri prisons reported 333 new cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) so far this month, marking a more than 50% increase from last month, The Associated Press reports. In comparison, the prison system has reported 661 total cases since the beginning of the pandemic. A prison spokeswoman attributes the rise to increased testing. Since August 1, confirmed cases rose from 105 to 232 at the Eastern Reception, Diagnostic and Correctional Center in Bonne Terre and from 108 to 163 at the Missouri Eastern Correctional Center in Pacific.