Federal Government Reverses Decision To Stop Monoclonal Antibody Distribution
A decision by the federal government to stop the distribution of monoclonal antibodies has been reversed, according to government sources, allowing states to continue receiving allocations of the lifesaving medication.
Governor Ron DeSantis immediately called on the Biden Administration to release the stranglehold on the life-saving by increasing the supply distributed to Florida or by allowing states to purchase the antibodies directly.
“Prior to the federal government takeover of the monoclonal market, Florida successfully distributed approximately 30,000 doses per week when we managed our own supply,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “The state has more than $800 million available to quickly deploy monoclonal antibody treatments throughout the state, and the only thing holding us back is the insufficient supply of treatment from the federal government. After failing to ‘shut down the virus,’ the Biden Administration has come to the realization that there is not a federal solution to COVID-19, and releasing the federal stranglehold on these effective treatments is a good first step.”
Recently, the Biden Administration decision to halting distribution of Regeneron and Eli Lilly monoclonal antibody treatments to states, was reversed in response to a letter from Surgeon General Dr. Joseph Ladapo.
According to DeSantis, Florida needs at least 30,000 more doses per week than it is receiving through the allocation system to expand capacity at existing monoclonal antibody treatment sites and open new sites to treat 250-300 patients per day at each site.
“Since early 2020, the Florida Department of Health has responded to COVID-19 around the clock, and has been at the forefront of innovation,” said Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo, MD, PhD. “While I am pleased to see that HHS has reversed its decision to pause shipments of Regeneron and Eli Lilly’s monoclonal antibody therapy treatments following my letter to Secretary Becerra, this is just the first step. Direct access to early treatment is essential to saving lives – it is not an option nor should it be barricaded by bureaucracy. Under the leadership of Governor DeSantis, the Florida Department of Health continues to work with the Division of Emergency Management to efficiently and continuously prepare for the availability for additional monoclonal antibody treatments, should the federal government change tact and allow states to directly protect their communities.”
In anticipation of the potential for a future COVID-19 surge causing an increase in demand for early treatment, the Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM) requested and received additional resources from the Legislature in October, including:
- $245 million to support ongoing monoclonal antibody treatment operations throughout the state at the time; and
- $643 million for any future surge in demand for monoclonal antibody treatment, including the potential future opportunity for the state to directly purchase monoclonal antibody treatments and bypass the federal government.
Thanks to this proactive approach, FDEM has more than $800 million remaining and available to quickly deploy monoclonal antibody treatments throughout the state once the state is permitted to directly purchase monoclonal antibody treatments from the distributor.To find locations to receive monoclonal antibody treatments around the entire state, please visit floridahealthcovid19.gov.
