Possible Remedy for the Coronavirus/Covid-19 Global Pandemic Invites Immediate Controversy.
On August 23, 2020 the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced a decision to grant blood plasma treatment for Coronavirus/Covid-19 patients with a fast-track authorization for its emergency use as a treatment for hospitalized COVID-19 patients.
The next day, claims about the effectiveness of this treatment were retracted. Subsequent news coverage about this potential treatment did little to clarify blood plasmas’ usefulness or lack thereof. The idea that there could be a political motivation behind the fast track authorization for this potential treatment, other than looking for a useful therapeutic, is troubling.
Who Can Americans Believe?
On his regular ‘Houston Healthcare Initiative’ podcast, respected neurologist Dr. Steven Goldstein defines how this decision triggered an outcry from scientists and doctors, who said the decision was not supported by adequate clinical evidence and criticized the FDA for what was perceived as bowing to ‘political pressure’.
Dr. Goldstein also reviews those who believed this approach was worthwhile. Generally, treatment with blood plasma from recovered patients is an accepted practice that goes back to the early 20th century. Many believe the possibility that blood plasma from recovered Coronavirus/Covid-19 patients could help people fight off the virus was worthy of further investigation.
Who is correct? Who should the American public rely on for the best information about treatment for this global health emergency?
The Houston Healthcare Initiative podcast can be heard on: SoundCloud, Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Listen Notes, iHeartRadio, and the Houston Healthcare Initiative web site.
About Houston Healthcare Initiative And Dr. Steven Goldstein
Dr. Steven Goldstein is a Houston based neurologist. He founded the Houston Healthcare Initiative and is an advocate for common sense solutions to the healthcare crisis that confronts the citizens and residents of the United States of America. Blood plasma treatment for Covid-19 patients invites controversy.