US. President Donald Trump on Sunday, announced emergency authorization of blood plasma from recovered coronavirus patients as a treatment for those battling the disease, following its approval by the US Food and Drug Administration, FDA. The development was described by President Trump as "a historic breakthrough." One of his top health officials said it was a "promising" development, but other experts have cautioned that the treatment needs further evaluation before it should be celebrated.
The blood plasma, taken from patients who have recovered from COVID-19 and have plenty antibodies, may give benefits to those fighting the virus. But the evidence so far has been inconclusive over its effectiveness, when to administer it and what dosage is required.
The FDA said more than 70,000 patients had been treated with convalescent plasma, which is made using the blood of people who have recovered from coronavirus infections.
President Trump at a White House briefing said, "Today I am pleased to make a truly historic announcement in our battle against the China virus that will save countless lives.
"Today's action will dramatically increase access to this treatment.
"This is a powerful therapy that transfuses very, very strong antibodies from the blood of recovered patients to help treat battling a current infection. It's had an incredible rate of success," he added.
Like blood, convalescent plasma is in short supply and must come from donors. And while there are promising signals from some studies, there is not yet randomized clinical trial data on convalescent plasma to treat COVID-19. Some of those trails are in progress.
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