HHS launches web-based monoclonal antibody treatment locator

The Department of Health and Human Services yesterday released an outpatient treatment locator for monoclonal antibody therapeutics.

"We know that many hospitals are overwhelmed with the recent rise in patients hospitalized with COVID-19, and hospital staff are exhausted after months of pandemic response,” said HHS Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response Robert Kadlec, M.D. “This treatment locator allows patients and providers to find sites for outpatient treatment options, which may help reduce the number of people who require hospitalization for COVID-19 care, which in turn reduces the strain on our nation's hospitals and their staff."

In November, the Food and Drug Administration issued emergency use authorization for two monoclonal antibody therapeutics to treat mild or moderate COVID-19 in high-risk, non-hospitalized patients. As of Jan. 6, HHS has allocated more than 641,000 treatment courses to states and territories, which have directed delivery of the medicines to more than 3,700 locations. States and territorial health departments must opt in to have information for facilities within their jurisdictions available in the locator. The locator launched with 22 state and territorial health departments opting in, and HHS is encouraging all states and territories to participate.