Florida's Use of Emerging and Off-Label COVID-19 Treatments

The Florida Department of Health recently issued a Provider Alert regarding the use of Emerging and Off-Label COVID-19 treatments.

On Feb. 24, 2022, this Alert stated, 'when recommending COVID-19 treatment options for patients' individualized health care needs, physicians should exercise their individual clinical judgment and expertise based on their patients' needs and preferences.'

'COVID-19 prevention and treatments prescribed under the guidance of a licensed health care practitioner can save lives and mitigate the impact of COVID-19 on Floridians.'

"The State of Florida has widespread natural and vaccine-induced immunity," commented Florida State Surgeon General Dr. Joseph A. Ladapo in a related video. "Evidence suggests that most secondary transmission occurs early on."

"Our state will continue to make decisions for Floridians rooted in sound science, not fear, whether they are working or in school."

The Provider Alert continued by saying, 'When recommending COVID-19 treatment options for patients' individualized health care needs, physicians should exercise their individual clinical judgment and expertise based on their patients' needs and preferences.'

'These options may include emerging treatments backed by quality evidence, with appropriate patient informed consent, including off-label use or as part of a clinical trial.'

For example:

• Fluvoxamine
• Inhaled Budesonide

'We are committed to protecting the comprehensive practice of health care in an environment where treatments continue to evolve, and expect Florida's health care providers to stay apprised of the availability of COVID-19 treatment options, including:

• Paxlovid
• Molnupiravir
• Bebtelovimab
• Sotrovimab

'As guidance continues to evolve, health care practitioners should sustain and maintain in-depth awareness of the data surrounding COVID-19 treatment options.'

'Some treatments should be closely evaluated before administration for both indication and timing, such as Remdesivir (Veklury) in hospital settings (which recently received FDA approval for out-patient COVID-19 treatment), and lopinavir/ritonavir.'

'It is the responsibility of health care practitioners to be informed of evolving and emerging patient care options for COVID-19 to assess the risks and benefits for individual patients that often vary on a patient-by-patient basis,' stated this Florida Alert.

Note: Florida's allocation of COVID-19 treatments for the week of February 21-27, 2022, is posted on this U.S. HHS form.