What We’re Reading: COVID-19 Reinfection Risk Grows; FDA Reviewing OTC Birth Control; Abbott Plant Reopens

BA.5 Spread Represents COVID-19 Reinfection Risk

A new COVID-19 variant, BA.5, which is an Omicron offshoot, has become dominant in the United States and a growing threat for reinfection, according to The Washington Post. The variant is driving a wave of new infections in the country, although it is unknown how big the wave is due to at-home testing. Current vaccines have done little to protect against the new variant; however, a dramatic increase in hospitalizations has not occurred thus far, with about 38,000 people hospitalized for COVID-19 as of Friday, well below the record of 162,000 seen in January. Infectious disease experts are reminding the country that the virus is still dangerous with varying degrees of severity.

FDA to Review OTC Birth Control

HRA Pharma is seeking to sell their birth control medication over the counter, pending FDA approval, in response to the overturning of Roe v Wade. If the FDA approves the application, the birth control pill would become the first daily, hormonal birth control pill sold over the counter in the United States. The application comes after 6 years of studies done to prove that patients would be able to understand the labels on the boxes without guidance from their doctor. However, it is likely that this medication would not hit shelves until mid-2023, with the FDA’s timeline for responding to applications at 10 months.

Abbott Reopens Michigan Plant

Abbott announced the reopening of its Michigan plant after severe flooding shut it down in mid-June. Abbott, one of the nation’s largest suppliers of baby formula, began producing EleCare upon reopening on July 1. The plant, which had originally reopened on June 4 after recalling baby formula products in February, was hit with severe flooding just 9 days later. The company said that Similac had not yet resumed production at the facility.