Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to the Answer of 20 April 2022 to Question 151008 on Coronavirus: Drugs, what specific local issues the National Health Service was aware of are; and which local areas have reported issues in distributing antiviral and retroviral treatment.

Since December 2021, COVID Medicines Delivery Units (CMDUs) have provided antiviral or monoclonal antibody treatments to over 40,000 patients in England at highest risk of hospitalisation as result of COVID-19.

Organisations hosting CMDUs have been asked to increase resourcing and continue to prioritise the highest risk patients in light of higher case numbers due to the prevalence of the Omicron variant. There have also been reports of limited awareness of the new service in some localities. Local commissioners have been asked to ensure that general practitioner practices and local NHS services provide information to patients and ensure timely referrals. Further guidance and information has been issued to consultants, primary care and NHS 111. NHS England and NHS Improvement are engaging with local teams and stakeholder groups to raise awareness and support delivery of the service.