Report: Gretchen Whitmer’s Michigan Cannot Meet Monoclonal Antibody Demand

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer faces her latest coronavirus-related challenge as her state is currently unable to meet the demand of patients seeking monoclonal antibody treatments, according to a report from the Detroit Free Press.

The state does not have enough doses of monoclonal antibodies to meet demand and lacks an adequate number of health care workers to administer them, health experts told the outlet.

Department of Health and Human Services Spokesperson Lynn Sutfin told the Detroit Free Press: “Based on the amount of medication being allocated to Michigan by the federal government, as well as the amount of medication being used throughout the state, there is not enough supply at this time.”

In November, Spectrum Health in Grand Rapids received up to 1,000 calls daily when demand for monoclonal antibodies was peaking, but the hospital could only administer 400-450 treatments weekly, the outlet reports.

“That’s a pretty significant mismatch,” said President of Spectrum Health West Michigan Dr. Darryl Elmouchi. Spectrum Health West Michigan hopes to increase the number of infusions to 500 a week. – READ MORE