FDA Shelves Emergency Authorization for Blood Plasma COVID-19 Treatment

Citing the absence of strong data showing effectiveness, the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) decided to wait on issuing an emergency authorization for a blood plasma treatment for COVID-19. The treatment involves transferring blood plasma from people who have recovered from COVID-19 to those fighting the infection with the hopes that the antibodies will transfer from the well to the sick. However, results from clinical trials—including one conducted by the Mayo Clinic with more than 66,000 patients—have not strongly demonstrated efficacy. FDA officials will continue to review available data on the blood plasma treatment. Read more here.