The U.S. government halted shipments of the coronavirus antibody treatment bamlanivimab.
Developed by Eli Lilly, the Department of Health said officials noticed a "sustained increase in SARS-CoV-2 viral variants in the United States that are resistant to bamlanivimab administered alone."
"There is a potential risk of treatment failure due to the development of viral SARS-CoV-2 variants that are resistant to bamlanivimab. Prescribing healthcare providers should consider the prevalence of bamlanivimab resistance variants in their area, where data are available when considering treatment options," the FDA wrote.
While healthcare providers won't be receiving bamlanivimab by itself, the treatment will be available when paired with the drug etesevimab.
Eli Lilly said they will continue to send etesevimab to facilities that have doses of bamlanivimab on hand.
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