Tennessee Representative Scott DeJarlais (R-TN-04) sent a letter on Wednesday to Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Xavier Becerra outlining his concerns over the new distribution protocol of monoclonal antibody therapies.
Monoclonal antibodies are synthetic, laboratory-created antibodies, according to the Georgia Department of Public Health. Also, they help people at high risk for severe COVID illness, individuals who have recently tested positive (within 10 days) for the virus, or people who are in close contact with others who have tested positive for COVID.
On Monday, the federal government changed the way COVID-19 monoclonal antibody treatments will be distributed in the United States. The decision by the HHS is the result of supply shortages and high demand for treatments across the country. Health care providers will no longer be able to order the treatments directly.
HHS will determine each state’s weekly allocation of monoclonal antibody products based on use and the number of new COVID cases.
Representative DesJarlais wrote, “As you are aware, this lifesaving COVID-19 treatment, which was granted Emergency Use Authorization by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), has been shown to significantly reduce hospitalizations and deaths among coronavirus patients. The antibodies mimic the body’s immune response, and treatment is most effective within 10 days of symptom onset. If treated within that time frame, studies have indicated the treatment to reduce the risk of hospitalization or death by 70%.”
The letter continues, “(…) many Tennesseans have undoubtedly avoided severe illness by utilizing treatment options such as monoclonal antibodies. Only an individual and their physician can decide the best course of action.”
Representatives Diana Harshbarger (R-TN-01), Tim Burchett (R-TN-02), Chuck Fleischmann (R-TN-03), John Rose (R-TN-06), Mark Green, (R-TN-07) and David Kustoff (R-TN-08) all signed on to DesJarlais’ letter.
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Kaitlin Housler is a reporter at The Tennessee Star and The Star News Network. Email tips to [email protected]
