Skip to main content
Normal View

Covid-19 Pandemic

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 January 2022

Tuesday, 25 January 2022

Questions (627)

Róisín Shortall

Question:

627. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the status of the €90 million allocation for antiviral drugs to treat Covid-19; the cohorts of patients he expects will be treated with antiviral drugs; the estimated timescale for delivery; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3389/22]

View answer

Written answers

A National Therapeutics Advisory Group has been established by the Health Service Executive (HSE) to evaluate, advise, and provide recommendations on all therapeutics with potential for use in the treatment of COVID-19 in Ireland. This encompasses a range of antivirals and monoclonal antibodies currently awaiting, or having recently received, EMA approval.

In parallel, a Therapeutics Operational Group, to be informed by the recommendations of the Therapeutics Advisory Group, has been established by the HSE to develop the arrangements for provision of these treatments to patients who may benefit from their use and work is ongoing to establish the most efficient pathways toward identifying these vulnerable patients. The use of these treatments will be limited to these strictly defined patient cohorts.

The EU Commission is currently progressing a Joint Procurement Agreement (JPA) in relation to antivirals, which includes MSD’s Lagevrio (Molnupiravir) and Pfizer’s Paxlovid (PF-07321332; Ritonavir). Ireland has formally indicated its intention to participate in this arrangement. In addition, first deliveries of GSK’s Xevudy (Sotrovimab) monoclonal antibody treatment, procured via the EU JPA process, are imminently expected.

The HSE, in consultation with the Department of Health, is also exploring opportunities to procure antivirals through bilateral agreements at national level, in advance of the completion of the relevant EU JPA. These discussions are subject to EMA marketing authorisation.

Top
Share