Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 26 January 2022
200. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health his plans for rolling out Covid-19 antiviral and monoclonal antibody treatments; the rationale for not immediately providing them to blood cancer patients who are not hospitalised; when such patients will be given access; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3954/22]
View answerA Therapeutics Operational Group, to be informed by the recommendations of the Therapeutics Advisory Group, has been established within the HSE to develop the arrangements for provision of antiviral and monoclonal antibody treatments, and work is ongoing to establish the most efficient pathways to identify those patients who may benefit from their use. It is important to note that these treatments are not for widespread use, and the benefit will be limited to particular cohorts of high-risk vulnerable patients.
The first delivery of the Monoclonal Antibody, Xevudy (Sotrovimab) from GSK arrived in Ireland on Thursday 20th January. Approximately 1,000 treatment courses arrived in this initial delivery
