Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of (1) the acute shortage of intravenous immunoglobulin since 2018, (2) the impact of COVID-19 on the supply of that medicine, and (3) the impact of that shortage on treatment.

NHS England and NHS Improvement have been closely monitoring all use of immunoglobulin stock through the national immunoglobulin database and through the sub-regional immunoglobulin assessment panels (SRIAP), ensuring use of immunoglobulin is used for commissioned indications only and at the correct dosage and frequency. There have been no shortages reported since the beginning of 2019 with supplies being managed carefully by SRIAP.

As part of our concerted national efforts to respond to the COVID-19 outbreak, we are doing everything we can to ensure patients continue to access the appropriate medicines.

The Department is working closely with industry, the National Health Service and others in the supply chain to help ensure patients can access the medicines they need, and precautions are in place to reduce the likelihood of future shortages.