Federal officials are disappointed to find that the monoclonal antibody drugs they’ve shipped across the country aren’t being used rapidly.
These drugs are designed to prevent people recently diagnosed with COVID-19 from ending up in the hospital. But hospitals are finding it cumbersome to use these medicines, which must be given by IV infusion. And some patients and doctors are lukewarm about drugs that have an uncertain benefit.
The Food and Drug Administration granted emergency authorization in November to two monoclonal antibody products – one produced by Eli Lilly, the other by Regeneron. President Trump was given the Regeneron product on an emergency basis before the FDA authorized it for widespread use.
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