The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued five Emergency Use Authorizations (EUAs) for drugs and biological products during the COVID-19 pandemic. These authorizations, allowed under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, aim to help address public health emergencies by making medical products available when there are no adequate alternatives. The products authorized include those requested by Baxter Healthcare, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Eli Lilly and Company, and Regeneron Pharmaceuticals. The FDA ensures that these authorizations are based on scientific evidence indicating that the benefits of using these products outweigh the risks.
Simple Explanation
The FDA is letting some special medicines be used in emergencies because of COVID-19. These medicines help people when no other options are available, and were given the okay because they're believed to be more helpful than harmful.