Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government when COVID-19 medicines delivery units are disbanded at the end of June, how they will ensure that (1) immunocompromised people who are in the vulnerable group for COVID-19 treatments, and who have contraindications for antivirals, are able to access Sotrovimab infusion treatment, and (2) such people and their GPs will be informed of any new approach.

Following the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidance on COVID-19 treatments on 29 March 2023, integrated care boards (ICBs) have a statutory duty to make funding available for these treatments within 90 days and to arrange access as part of routine services in the National Health Service. ICBs will therefore need to ensure access arrangements are in place for patients at potential highest risk from COVID-19 to be assessed for, and where indicated, receive a clinically appropriate treatment, which will include consideration of the NICE recommended medicines, nirmatrelvir plus ritonavir, Paxlovid, taken orally, or sotrovimab, Xevudy, administered intravenously. ICBs are also responsible for ensuring potentially eligible individuals and local services such as general practice teams, NHS 111 and hospital specialists are made aware of their local patient pathways for these treatments.