MDH: Minnesota receives small supply of new therapy drug that decreases need for hospitalizations, emergency visits

A new type of therapy drug that has been shown to decrease the need for hospitalizations and emergency department visits in COVID-19 patients is now available in Minnesota.

The Minnesota Department of Health says the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has started distribution of bamlanivimab, a new drug for treating mild and moderate COVID-19 cases in the state. HHS secured a limited supply of this antibody treatment and is expected to continue weekly shipments to health care facilities at least through the end of the year.

Bamlanivimab is an investigational monoclonal antibody therapy for use only in people who are at a high risk for severe disease, but who are not currently hospitalized with COVID-19 and don’t require oxygen therapy due to COVID-19. It received Emergency Use Authorization by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Nov. 9. The treatment is time sensitive and must be given as soon as possible after a positive result and within 10 days of developing symptoms, according to MDH.

"To be able to use this treatment, people should get tested as soon as possible if they become ill and reach out to their health care provider quickly if they receive a positive test," said Dr. Ruth Lynfield, state epidemiologist and medical director for MDH. "Supplies will be limited at this point, but this therapy provides an additional option to help limit the impacts of this serious disease."

Minnesota is expected to receive 2,400 doses in the initial shipment. HHS plans to distribute a total of 300,000 doses nationally by the end of the year. Due to limited supplies, MDH and its medical and public health partners have worked with medical ethicists around the state to develop a framework for health care providers to make decisions about who should get the treatment. Only children and adults who are at high risk for severe disease will be eligible, and those conditions are listed in the Food and Drug Administration’s Emergency Use Authoriziation.