It's a Monoclonal antibody - those are some of the most expensive drugs there are (i.e. hard to make in bulk). Add to that how difficult it is to administer (keep frozen, thaw slowly).<p>We (appear to) have a way to stop the epidemic, yet we can't actually do it.
While I understand that giving people experimental drugs is extraordinarily dangerous, it still saddens me that, in all likelihood, these guys only got the rules bent because they were doctors. Anybody else would likely not have had the option.
For anyone interested, here is a good article on the science behind the drug: <a href="http://www.forbes.com/sites/davidkroll/2014/08/05/ebola-secret-serum-small-biopharma-the-army-and-big-tobacco/" rel="nofollow">http://www.forbes.com/sites/davidkroll/2014/08/05/ebola-secr...</a><p>The antibodies are produced in tobacco plants on a farm owned by RJ Reynolds Tobacco.
If the choice was between certain death and an experimental drug that might or might not work, I'd certainly choose the latter no matter how unsafe it could be.
More description on how its created, and issues with this use. <a href="http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-08-05/ebola-drug-made-from-tobacco-plant-saves-u-s-aid-workers.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-08-05/ebola-drug-made-fro...</a><p>Interesting they used tobacco plants in the process and how this drug is not scheduled for clinical trials until next year
Isn't it a bit early to be declaring victory? Especially given the fact that this particular drug hasn't been used in humans before, I wouldn't say the patients are out of the woods yet.
Does these antibodies actually train the recipients immune system to produce more of them? Why or why not?<p>Why can't we pursue a similar technology to treat the common cold, or MRSA for that matter?
<p><pre><code> "As doctors, trying an untested drug on
patients is a very difficult choice since
our first priority is to do no harm, and
we would not be sure that the experimental
treatment would do more harm than good."
</code></pre>
Uh, we're talking about a virus with a 90% mortality rate. What are you afraid the drug might do? <i>Kill them</i>?
I'm curious who foot the bill for all this.<p>These people were "missionaries" - does that mean they were over there proselytizing? Did they have any right to be there?