Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether they will rule out the possibility that patients will receive a placebo in place of Evusheld.

The Antivirals and Therapeutics Taskforce is exploring a potential clinical trial to gain further data on Evusheld’s efficacy. This is in addition to the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence’s technology appraisal, which will determine the clinical and cost effectiveness.

Whilst placebo-controlled trials are required to obtain data on the efficacy of a medicine, deferred doses can also be considered in a placebo-controlled trial. Participants on the placebo section of the trial can be provided with Evusheld after a period of time. However, the design of any potential trial has not yet been agreed.