Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to the procurement agreement reached by the UK Health and Security Agency with Instituto Butantan on 29 July 2022, contract reference C96116, what was the nature of the incident that led to the procurement exercise; where in the UK did that incident take place; and what was the impact of that incident on the number of vials of diphtheria antitoxin held in the national stockpile.

The UK Health Security Agency’s (UKHSA) routine procurement exercise for diphtheria antitoxin, contract reference C96116, was to replace expiring stock in the national stockpile and at National Health Service holding centres.

UKHSA holds a small stock of diphtheria antitoxin to replenish National Health Service holding centres when the antitoxin is clinically indicated for use. The centrally held stock is replenished as required when stock is either issued to holding centres or expires. The antitoxin is rarely used in the United Kingdom.