Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 22 February 2022
667. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if he will meet with a representative group (details supplied) to discuss his plans for antivirals and monoclonal antibody treatments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9088/22]
View answerA National Therapeutics Advisory Group has been established by the 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 to develop the arrangements for provision of these treatments and work is ongoing to establish and develop 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.
