FDA Chief Hahn Brings Good News on Coronavirus Fight | Eastern North Carolina Now

Publisher's note: This post appears here courtesy of the LifeZette, and written by Polizette Staff.

    The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is at the forefront of the fight against the coronavirus. FDA chief Dr. Stephen Hahn talked to Maria Bartiromo on "Sunday Morning Futures" about the effort.

    "I can tell the American people that critical medications are available, but there are spot shortages because of increased demand, so we are working very closely with domestic and international suppliers to increase the supply of those," said Hahn.

    On the fall virus outlook and a vaccine, Hahn said, "We are prepared to look at any data around any medical product and in particular vaccines because that's obviously the answer for the next season... What I can assure the American people is that we will look at all the data and science, it's our job to make sure that that data and science show us that a vaccine, in this particular case, is safe and effective."

    He focused on vaccines: "A candidate vaccine was put into clinical trial several weeks ago, and that is the beginning of the process. This is record speed for the development of a vaccine, but we'll look at data from any source, but we will ensure, this is our job, the safety and effectiveness of any medical products including vaccines."

    Hahn concluded, "As part of the response to this pandemic, the agency is taking the lead on a national effort to facilitate the development of, and access to, two investigational therapies derived from human blood. These are called convalescent plasma and hyper-immune globulin and are antibody-rich blood products made from blood donated by people who have recovered from the virus."

    In layman's language Hahn said that the FDA is getting closer to a vaccine and possibly a cure using various types of research and experimentation. The antibodies in the blood of those who have recovered from the virus, much like in the film "I am Legend," is the key.