Edit: This was not the story I wanted to post On Desantis by-passing the DHH to buy direct.
https://floridapolitics.com/archives/455607-gov-desantis-hopes-to-add-eli-lilly-glaxosmithkline-to-monoclonal-antibody-arsenal/Gov. Ron DeSantis hopes more COVID-19 treatments, including Eli Lilly’s and GlaxoSmithKline’s antibody cocktails, will soon be readily available in Florida.
The Governor has spent more than a month in a hard push to promote Regeneron’s monoclonal antibody treatment. Despite previously downplaying Eli Lilly’s version for not being as effective against the delta variant, DeSantis was more optimistic about the option on Tuesday as he spoke in St. Cloud.
Florida is looking into how it could make those options readily available. Monoclonal antibody therapy, as produced by Regeneron, is a therapeutic available when a person at high risk for severe infection tests positive for COVID-19 or is exposed to the virus.
“I think you’re going to see, hopefully, an expansion with some of these other monoclonals, which will be good and hopefully will prove to be as effective as Regeneron,” DeSantis said.
Florida chose Regeneron over other options, DeSantis has said, because the federal government has made it free for states and hospitals to draw down, because it can be administered with a shot, and because it provides better results than others against the delta variant, which was largely responsible for this summer’s record-breaking surge.
Eli Lilly’s version is available through the federal government again, and
DeSantis said GlaxoSmithKline’s formula is on the market.
