<p>US health officials have authorised Eli Lilly's Covid-19 treatment for a new use in preventing disease in people who have been recently exposed to the virus.</p>.<p>The Food and Drug Administration on Thursday granted emergency use of the drug for adults and children older than 12 who may have an infection and are at high-risk for getting severe Covid-19. Previously the drug was authorized for high-risk patients with confirmed Covid-19.</p>.<p>Earlier this summer the FDA authorised preventative use for a similar antibody drug from competitor Regeneron Pharmaceuticals.</p>.<p>Antibody drugs are one of the only treatments proven to reduce the risk of death from Covid-19, especially for people who are not yet in the hospital. Demand for the drugs has boomed as the delta variant sends cases surging again across the US.</p>.<p>Federal officials have reported a 20-fold increase in orders for the drugs since mid-July.</p>.<p><strong>Check out latest DH videos here</strong></p>
<p>US health officials have authorised Eli Lilly's Covid-19 treatment for a new use in preventing disease in people who have been recently exposed to the virus.</p>.<p>The Food and Drug Administration on Thursday granted emergency use of the drug for adults and children older than 12 who may have an infection and are at high-risk for getting severe Covid-19. Previously the drug was authorized for high-risk patients with confirmed Covid-19.</p>.<p>Earlier this summer the FDA authorised preventative use for a similar antibody drug from competitor Regeneron Pharmaceuticals.</p>.<p>Antibody drugs are one of the only treatments proven to reduce the risk of death from Covid-19, especially for people who are not yet in the hospital. Demand for the drugs has boomed as the delta variant sends cases surging again across the US.</p>.<p>Federal officials have reported a 20-fold increase in orders for the drugs since mid-July.</p>.<p><strong>Check out latest DH videos here</strong></p>