This archive report was first published on 24 August 2020.
On Sunday, August 23, US President Donald Trump announced the emergency approval of plasma treatment for COVID-19 by the FDA, calling it a 'historic breakthrough.'
According to Trump, blood plasma from recovered coronavirus patients will be used to treat patients with COVID-19, a move that has been met with both praise and criticism.
While a top US health official described the treatment as a 'promising' advancement, other experts have warned that it requires further evaluation before it can be considered a standard treatment.
Trump's announcement came hours after the White House revealed that it was aware of plans to delay the treatment by the FDA, with Trump accusing some FDA officials of holding up the approval for 'political reasons.'
However, the FDA's Chief Scientist, Denise Hintone, has cautioned that the treatment should not be considered a new standard of care for COVID-19, stating that additional data will be forthcoming from ongoing clinical trials in the coming months.
Trump's approval of the plasma treatment has sparked concerns about its efficiency and the required dosage, with some critics accusing the President of pressuring the FDA to grant emergency approval.
Just a week ago, Russia announced the development of the first effective coronavirus vaccine, which has been deemed safe for human use.
