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Written question asked by Bell Ribeiro-Addy (Labour) on Monday, 13 June 2022, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 16 June 2022 (named day). It was answered by Maggie Throup (Conservative) on Tuesday, 21 June 2022 on behalf of the Department of Health and Social Care.

NHS: Drugs

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what role the cost of medication plays in the Government's decision to procure (a) Evusheld, (b) Beblitovimab and (c) other drugs.

Original answer

COVID-19 treatments must be effective against the variants currently circulating in the United Kingdom and receive marketing authorisation prior to procurement. While Evusheld was granted conditional marketing authorisation in March 2022, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency raised uncertainty over the dose needed for protection against the Omicron variant. The UK Health Security Agency is currently undertaking further testing on Evusheld’s efficacy against the Omicron variant. The data for Bebtelovimab shows efficacy against the currently circulating Omicron variants, although the treatment has not received marketing authorisation in the UK.

There is currently no funding allocated for these treatments. However, funding for additional procurement of novel treatments is considered on a case-by-case basis, as guided by clinical need and subject to business cases and due process.

It has since been corrected.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
17128
Session
2022-23
Related items
Correction to Written Parliamentary Questions
Monday, 17 April 2023
Written statements
House of Commons
Notes
Information corrected on 17 April at 731 c10-2WS
Subjects
Costs Drugs NHS Procurement
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk