STATEMENT: Gottheimer Urges Speedy FDA Action on Experimental Gilead COVID-19 Treatment, Urges Gilead to Continue Emergency Access to Patients with Severe Symptoms

Gilead’s current halting of individual emergency access to COVID-19 treatment is placing lives at risk, like Fifth District native 25-year-old Jack Allard

GLEN ROCK, NJ – On Monday, March, 23, 2020, U.S. Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) released the following statement:

“Right now, Gilead Sciences has halted emergency individual ‘compassionate use’ access to its experimental COVID-19 drug remdesivir, citing overwhelming demand, as the company works to expand access programs. While compassionate use requests may still be made for pregnant women and children under 18 years of age with confirmed COVID-19 and severe manifestations of disease, this is leaving hundreds of other patients suffering from extreme symptoms of COVID-19 without treatment that could save their lives — including some patients in North Jersey, like 25-year-old Ridgewood native Jack Allard who is currently suffering from extreme COVID-19 complications.

I’m calling on the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to act on Gilead Sciences’ remdesivir COVID-19 investigational treatment application as swiftly as possible, and for Gilead to continue its individual emergency compassionate use access program, with physician approval, as they work diligently to develop expanded access programs. Now is the time for our government and life sciences companies to redouble their efforts and commitment to effectively treating patients, developing the cures we need, and providing access to those who need it most. Thousands of American lives depend on it. We cannot delay.”

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