Coronavirus Update: After Trump Pressure, US FDA Issues Emergency Use Authorization For Blood Plasma Therapy

Agency Reverses Decision

US FDA Commissioner Stephen Hahn cites 35% improvement in study, but critics are dismayed by fudging of science and political pressure.

Plasma
The Emergency Use Authorization will expand access to convalescent blood plasma - but a lack of a placebo-controlled study remains a cause for concern.

COVID-19 patients in the US will have greater access to convalescent blood plasma therapy after the US Food and Drug Administration granted the treatment emergency use authorization (EUA) – with President Donald Trump proclaiming the treatment a “powerful therapy” with “an incredible rate of success.”

The EUA was announced on 23 August, and is based on an expanded-access program at Mayo Clinic funded by the...

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