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ARTICLE | Regulation

FDA facilitating compassionate use of convalescent plasma for COVID-19

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March 24, 2020 9:03 PM UTC
Updated on Mar 25, 2020 at 12:59 AM UTC

FDA Tuesday released guidance to help physicians provide convalescent plasma to COVID-19 patients on a compassionate use basis, outside of a clinical trial.

The presidents of the U.S. National Academy of Sciences, National Academy of Medicine, and National Academy of Engineering signed a statement on March 23 expressing strong support for “taking steps necessary to assess the potential for human convalescent plasma to help control COVID-19.” The statement characterizes convalescent plasma as “highly promising” and notes that it is a “tried-and-true treatment found effective in treating infections.” It encourages academia, industry and the federal government to collaborate to expedite the investigation and regulatory approval of convalescent plasma. ...