Monoclonal antibodies are free and effective against covid-19, but few people are getting them

[IronLionZion]

https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/covid-monoclonal-abbott/2021/08/19/a39a0b5e-0029-11ec-a664-4f6de3e17ff0_story.html

...

The drugs often prevent severe disease, keeping people like Mike Burton out of the hospital if taken within seven to 10 days after symptoms begin. And since last month, they can be given prophylactically to millions of people like Linda Burton who have been exposed to the coronavirus and are at high risk of serious consequences.

“That was all news [to me], when my friend Rita called,” said Linda Burton, a retired nurse. “I want everybody to know about this. I’m telling people that I know that are older. I’m saying ‘if you get exposed, you need to talk to your doctor about it.’”

Monoclonal antibodies are free to patients and there have been almost no side effects. They are accessible on an outpatient basis, via a single infusion or four injections. Hospitals, urgent care centers and even private doctors are authorized to dispense them.

But Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, maker of the only authorized, free monoclonal antibodies, said it is reaching fewer than 30 percent of eligible patients, up from fewer than 5 percent a month ago.

I thought it was expensive and that's why Republicans bought up Regeneron stock. Guess I'm not the only one who thought so.

[underpants]

1. I thought they were expensive too

[Lovie777]

2. It's expensive . . ..

Florida probably is paying for it for now.

[appalachiablue]

3. Around $1250 per dose, maybe another med- oops

[IronLionZion]

4. HHS bought up tons of it to provide for free

but there are logistics and communication issues where local doctors don't yet recommend patients get it. Weird.

[HAB911]

5. NOTHING is free. Guess who is paying for it.

[IronLionZion]

6. Socialist Taxpayers

but since it's paid for by taxes, people who need it should get it

[HAB911]

10. If I were king, no unvaxxed would get it

[roamer65]

11. +1000

No willfully unvaxxed adults should get it. It should only be provided to kids under 18 and vaccinated adults.

[enid602]

16. unvaccinated

Instead, the unvaccinated should get a gift basket containing a MAGA hat and Hydroxychloroquine.

[roamer65]

20. ...and ivermectin horse paste.

[enid602]

21. and. . .

. . . .and a hypodermic needle filled with bleach and Lysol.

[Hugh_Lebowski]

7. Free to patients is not free, neither is free college ... someone has to pay.

The vaccine is also free (to patients, and MUCH cheaper for whoever is actually paying) with no side effects other than feeling drained for a day or two after the 2nd shot. And lasts a LOT longer. And has been tested on billions of humans at this point.

[SCantiGOP]

9. Beg to differ on one point

No one in my family had any symptom after the second shot (Pfizer) except a sore arm.
I know that's not the case for everyone.

[Hugh_Lebowski]

15. I thought 'side effects' was generally understood to mean 'affects some people this way'

But if that's not the proper use of the term, forgive me for my imprecision

[LanternWaste]

18. Much as I thought 'free' is generally understood to mean 'taxpayer funded'

given the context of the discussion at hand.

But if we're reduced to one and only definition of the term out of its 13 meanings, forgive everyone our imprecisions as well...

[Hugh_Lebowski]

19. You know, I appreciate your precision

[dalton99a]

8. Kick

[BlueIdaho]

12. Just because someone else is footing the bill

That doesn’t make it free. In fact if the “government” is paying that means we are footing the bill for antivaxxers to get the juice.

[obamanut2012]

13. My insurance pays for it

I would pay $50, my insurance pays $1,200.

That isn't free.

[PortTack]

14. Deathsatan is buying all the doses he can depriving others

[hamsterjill]

17. The messaging about the availability needs to get out.

More people need to have access. Not just Greg Abbutt.