Monoclonal Antibodies to Treat COVID-19 Available in Idaho

Idaho healthcare providers should be aware that monoclonal antibodies, which may be helpful in preventing hospitalization among high-risk patients with COVID-19, are available in the state. The drugs have received FDA emergency use authorization.

There are currently two monoclonal antibody treatments available. Both treatments areadministered to eligible patients via intravenous infusion. Further information can be found in the FDA’s fact sheets for bamlanivimab and caisirivimab/imdevimab, respectively.

The Idaho Division of Public Health has helped to facilitate the allocation of these treatments to hospitals around the state. In addition, a federal program allocates and distributes to other locations, such as pharmacies and home infusion services that serve long-term care facilities and dialysis centers.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has launched a treatment locator to assist in finding locations for treatment with these therapeutics. The treatment locator displays locations that have received product directly from the distributor. In some cases, such as with large hospital systems in which there may be internal redistribution of product, these treatments may be available at additional sites that are not displayed on the treatment locator. In addition, sites that have not received product recently, or have only received a small number of doses, may not be displayed on the locator.

In addition to the treatment locator, your local hospital’s inpatient pharmacy may be able to provide information on whether the treatments are available, even if the hospitals are not displayed on the treatment locator site.

There is currently no shortage or anticipated shortage of these monoclonal antibody treatments. More information about each these treatments and the federal program supporting their allocation and distribution can be found on the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services/Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response webpage, ASPR’s Portfolio of COVID-19 Medical Countermeasures.

Any hospital or other healthcare facility interested in receiving either or both of these products can contact Dr. Marcia Witte at the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare (marcia.witte@dhw.idaho.gov) for more information.

Links:
Bamlanivimab Fact Sheet: https://www.fda.gov/media/143603/download
Caisiribimab/imdevimab Fact Sheet: https://www.fda.gov/media/143892/download
HHS Treatment locator: https://protect-public.hhs.gov/pages/therapeutics-distribution#distribution-locations
ASPR Portfolio of COVID-19 Medical Countermeasures: https://www.phe.gov/emergency/events/COVID19/investigation-MCM/Pages/default.aspx