Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Antibody Combo Therapy From AstraZeneca Prevents Covid In Trial
Fox News: AstraZeneca Antibody Therapy Prevents COVID-19 In Trial, Company Says
AstraZeneca released Phase 3 data showing promising results for a combination antibody therapy that prevents COVID-19, possibly opening the door to an alternative option for people who may not see the full protective benefits from the currently authorized vaccines. The PROVENT pre-exposure prophylaxis trial showed AZD7442 reduced the risk of developing symptomatic COVID-19 by up to 77% compared to a placebo. The combination of two long-acting antibodies is, according to the company, the first modified to potentially provide long-lasting protection with demonstrated clinical trial success. Also of note, over 75% of the trial participants had comorbidities, including some associated with reduced vaccine effectiveness. (Hein, 8/21)
The Washington Post: Monoclonal Antibodies Are Free And Effective Against Covid-19, But Few People Are Getting Them
Monoclonal antibodies are free to patients and there have been almost no side effects. They are accessible on an outpatient basis, via a single infusion or four injections. Hospitals, urgent-care centers and even private doctors are authorized to dispense them. But Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, maker of the only authorized, free monoclonal antibodies, said it is reaching fewer than 30 percent of eligible patients, up from fewer than 5 percent a month ago. (Bernstein and McGinley, 8/20)
The Texas Tribune: Texas Doctors Turn To Antibody Infusions To Slow COVID-19 Hospitalizations
The infusions are, in fact, more available and accessible to Texans than ever before, with ever-loosening restrictions on who may qualify, more people hearing about them and an increasing number of doctors across the state learning about the therapy and prescribing it to their patients suffering from COVID-19. (Brooks Harper, 8/23)
On the push against ivermectin —
Axios: FDA Urges People To Stop Taking Ivermectin To Treat COVID-19
The Food and Drug Administration on Saturday urged people to stop taking ivermectin — a drug used to treat parasites in animals — to respond to or prevent the coronavirus. The Mississippi State Health Department on Friday sent a letter warning health workers of the increase in poisonings from people taking ivermectin. "The Mississippi Poison Control Center has received an increasing number of calls from individuals with potential ivermectin exposure taken to treat or prevent COVID-19 infection," state officials said in the letter. (Gonzalez, 8/21)
The New York Times: Ivermectin Should Not Be Used To Treat Covid, F.D.A. Says
Ivermectin, an anti-parasitic drug commonly used for livestock, should not be taken to treat or prevent Covid-19, the Food and Drug Administration said on Saturday. The warning came a day after the Mississippi State Department of Health issued a similar statement in response to reports that an increasing number of people in Mississippi were using the drug to prevent a Covid infection. (Medina, 8/21)
And related to monoclonal antibody treatments —
Axios: AP Asks DeSantis To Stop Aide's "Harassing Behavior" Toward Reporter
The Associated Press’ incoming CEO is asking Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis to put a stop to his press secretary’s "harassing behavior" that she says has endangered one of the organization's journalists in our state. DeSantis aide Christina Pushaw’s Twitter account was temporarily suspended for violating rules on abusive behavior after she encouraged her followers to target longtime Florida reporter Brendan Farrington. Farrington wrote a story last week pointing out that the hedge fund of one of DeSantis’ top donors has invested millions in Regeneron, which manufactures a COVID-19 monoclonal antibody treatment that DeSantis has been promoting around the state. (Montgomery, 8/23)
