Getting approval for drugs like Evusheld will be lifechanging for people with compromised immune systems, who are still effectively in lockdown, and we should be pursuing them wholeheartedly as a country.

I can therefore appreciate the frustration at this drug being available in 32 countries, including the US, Canada, and Israel, but not in the UK, even though it is manufactured by
a British-based company, AstraZeneca.

All of their health authorities have agreed that there is sufficient evidence to permit its use, but our government insists that, even though it was approved by the MHRA in March, NICE must first conduct a full appraisal of its clinical and cost effectiveness before it will purchase any Evusheld.

In response to this decision, a campaign group called ‘Evusheld for the UK’ was formed, consisting of 18 charities and 125 clinicians, which has been calling on the Government to
roll out the drug. MPs have also been questioning the Government on the reasoning behind its decision in Parliament.

However, the Government has made it clear that it will not be purchasing any Evusheld until NICE has completed its review; NICE is expected to publish its draft guidance in April
2023, with final guidance to follow in May 2023.

There is no guarantee that the UK will purchase Evusheld following the review’s conclusions, but even if it did, it would be far later than the 32 countries where it is already
available, and too late for this coming Winter, which ‘Evusheld for the UK’ has been highlighting as a point of concern.

I can assure you that I will continue to follow developments with Evusheld closely and urge the Government not to forget about the health and wellbeing of people with compromised immune systems.