Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Markham on 28 November 2022 (HL3368), whether they can (1) provide further information on the equalities and impact assessment undertaken by the Antivirals and Therapeutics TaskForce, and (2) disclose which experts were involved in its production.

The Equalities and Impact Assessment analysed the impact of the decision not to procure Evusheld on all groups with protected characteristics, and the effect of the decision on immunosuppressed patients who are unable to complete vaccination or produce an adequate response to vaccination.

The assessment considered a range of evidence, including the Independent Advisory Group report and OCTAVE study. The Independent Advisory Group report identified a cohort of patients who are unlikely to respond to vaccination and who could potentially benefit from a Pre-exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) programme. The estimated cohort size is approximately 150,000, although there remains substantial uncertainty attached to these numbers. The Antivirals and Therapeutics Taskforce has also worked with the Therapeutics Clinical Review Panel, Prophylaxis Oversight Group and the Engagement Board, and these organisations consist of scientific experts, including clinicians, pharmacists, evidence assessors and researchers.

The assessment shows that the availability of effective PrEP could particularly benefit those with disabilities. However, the impacts and benefits of a PrEP programme, for patients identified throughout the assessment, would only occur if a suitable prophylactic option existed. Uncertainty remains of the impact of Evusheld as a prophylactic treatment, with RAPID C-19 additionally still unsure if Evusheld would prevent symptomatic COVID-19 caused by current Omicron variants. In line with that advice, the Government will not be procuring Evusheld at this time.