the fda, theoretical watchdog agency supposedly working in the interests of all americans, has granted eli lilly an emergency use authorization for its new monoclonal antibody product, bamlanivimab. the authorized dosage, 700mg, failed to meet efficacy standards required of phase II trials. This is not much of a surprise since the maximum dose used in trials, 7,000mg (yes, 10 times larger than the dose approved) failed to meet efficacy standards as well showing no significant improvement over placebos at either dosage.
more information here–
commentary and discussion here–
overall, something seems very wrong here. if the new standard for eua is going to be “at least it does no harm even if it does no good” it would be well for them to say so explicitly.
good luck to us all.