COVID-19 Update: Big News for High-Risk Patients

• September 08, 2021
• Amber Specialty Pharmacy
• Amber Specialty Pharmacy, Infectious Disease, Infusion Therapy, Uncategorized

1/07/22 Update: Due to the evolving clinical nature of COVID-19 currently there is limited product availability. We are currently accepting a limited number of new patients for COVID-19 monoclonal antibodies. Patients are prioritized per the federal government guidelines. Please check back for updates.

Due to a nationwide shortage, we are only able to provide the monoclonal antibody treatments for patients living in the same state as the dispensing pharmacy location . Please visit our locations page to see if we are located in your state. If your prescriber has not sent a referral form, please contact your prescriber first.

Patients interested in receiving monoclonal antibody treatment for COVID-19 need to contact a licensed practitioner for a prescription. Your healthcare provider will determine a) if you are eligible to receive this treatment and b) which therapy is appropriate for you.

The following form should be printed, completed by your doctor, and faxed to Amber Specialty Pharmacy.

Monoclonal Antibody Referral Form

Our contact information is as follows:

• Phone: 888-370-1724
• Fax: 855-370-0086
• Website: amberpharmacy.com
• Our list of locations: amberpharmacy.com/locations/

There’s big news from the FDA regarding the fight against COVID-19. Another monoclonal antibody cocktail is now available for use. Meaning Amber Specialty Pharmacy now has access to two antibody infusion treatments, both proven safe and effective to the individuals most vulnerable to COVID-19. We are ready to dispense these medications to help relieve strain on hospitals around the nation.

REGEN-COV (casirivimab and imdevimab) has received emergency use authorization. REGEN-COV has shown to be effective in keeping COVID-19 infected patients out of the hospital. The FDA adds that this therapy is not a substitution for the vaccine. REGEN-COV is not approved for those already in the hospital for COVID-related reasons.

Bamlanivimab + etesevimab is another Emergency Use Authorized (EUA) monoclonal antibody infusion available to help fight COVID-19. Each therapy has the same eligibility criteria, although bamlanivimab + etesevimab is not approved for use prior to a positive COVID-19 test.

How Can Monoclonal Antibodies Help?

Proper and timely administration of the antibody cocktail could result in thousands of patients avoiding the need for hospitalization. This update comes at a time when hospitals across the country are at capacity and have little to no availability of beds.

So Who Can Get It?

With the updated ruling, more people than ever may be eligible for this therapy.

According to FDA criteria, REGEN-COV and bamlanivimab + etesevimab are intended for people who have been exposed to COVID-19 or who themselves have a confirmed case of COVID-19 and are at high risk. Talk to your healthcare provider to see whether or not you qualify for these therapies. Here are some typical requirements we’ve seen:

• Chronic kidney disease
• Heart or lung disease
• BMI of 25 or greater
• Pregancy
• Diabetes
• Immunosuppressive disease
• Are told by your doctor that you are at high risk of a serious case of COVID-19

Read more about the Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) of REGEN-COV here.

Read more about the Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) of bamlanivimab + etesevimab here.

Where Can People Get This Medicine?

The recommended place to receive the drug is at home under the supervision of a home infusion nurse. Amber Specialty Pharmacy’s home-infusion capabilities and 50 state reach allow us to quickly meet the needs of high-risk patients across the country. We take care of the nursing coordination to provide at-home treatment. Our team is ready now to work with providers to enroll patients.

If you are a healthcare provider and think your patients are candidates for this therapy, fill out the form below to get in contact with our team.