The Secretary of Health, Víctor Ramos Otero, issued an administrative order to eliminate the need for a prescription to administer monoclonal antibodies to children and adolescents to prevent the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). This decision comes after a premature baby did not receive the medication on time due to the lack of a medical order and is now under respiratory assistance.
Ramos Otero stated that private medical plans were attempting to charge $500 for the administration of the antibodies without a medical order. He emphasized that this medication is not a vaccine, but rather a monoclonal antibody against RSV. So far this year, 1,073 cases of RSV have been reported in Puerto Rico, with 428 hospitalizations and one death.
The virus can have fatal consequences for babies and older adults, especially those with pre-existing conditions. Ramos Otero denounced the practice of charging patients for the medication, which is covered by their medical plan, and assured that the order has been issued to prevent this from happening again.