Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether the Government has ensured sufficient surge capacity in the supply of (a) existing and (b) upcoming covid-19 treatments in the event of future waves and variants of that disease.

The Government has procured 4.98 million courses of oral antivirals, including 2.75 million courses of nirmatrelvir and ritonavir, co-packaged as Paxlovid, 2.23 million courses of molnupiravir and 100,008 courses of the monoclonal antibody sotrovimab. The National Health Service also has access to remdesivir, tocilizumab, sarilumab and dexamethasone. Procured volumes are based on clinical advice, assessment of patient cohort sizes and modelled demand in the event a future wave or emerging variant of concern. Stock levels are regularly monitored to ensure sufficient volumes are available to meet current and projected demand, including sufficient surge capacity.