NICE says no to Evusheld in the UK

[vivdunstan]

Today NICE announced that they do not recommend that preventative Covid treatment Evusheld is used in the UK. This is a treatment aimed especially at the immunosuppressed, who in many cases cannot get adequate protection from Covid vaccines. Here is the full NICE announcement:

nice.org.uk/news/article/ni...

Obviously this is very disappointing. The worst thing is how long the process has been, in a rapidly changing variants situation. Other countries were giving Evusheld - which then worked - to their immunosuppressed people a year or more ago.

On plus NICE have admitted that the current approval process for Covid medicines like this is far far too slow, and are putting in place measures to speed it up dramatically. This might, for example, help Evusheld 2 which is being developed now.

But yes, a very disappointing but sadly not too surprising for me decision.

[Main1234]

thank you for sharing, as you say very disappointing. If it had been accepted early on CEV people would have had 12/18 months of seeing family and friends.

The whole process has taken so long but as you say NICE are now looking their process.

[Hoofprints]

Thanks for posting this. I feel gutted that we couldn't have it earlier and have some freedom, albeit still limited and temporary in form.I don't understand how the existing vaccines can be considered still effective against the new variants, but the drug isn't? Can anyone please explain the science behind that?

[michichgo in reply to Hoofprints]

Hi Hoof! Apparently, it's no longer effective. See my reply below. Stay well (as can be)!Michele

[Hoofprints in reply to michichgo]

Thanks so much. The link was very interesting.Still not clear as to whether or not the current vaccinations are effective against the 90% of circulating variants that evusheld is said to not be effective against?

Stay well and as safe as can be and thanks again for the info 👍

[Investigator1]

Thanks for posting this, havnt got many teeth left after being kicked in them so often. It’s a blooming shame and that’s a fact but I guess I had got used to the idea. We have just been forgotten.

[Chipper03]

So disappointing! This is about money, clearly as a group we’re too expensive to look after properly…..

[michichgo]

I'm located here in the States and my physicians are no longer recommending it. Here's an announcement from the FDA, (Food and Drug Administration) indicating "Data show Evusheld is unlikely to be active against certain SARS-CoV-2 variants".

fda.gov/drugs/drug-safety-a...

[vivdunstan Volunteer in reply to michichgo]

Yup there are question marks about its use now. However the big problem in the UK is that it wasn't rolled out a year or more ago = unlike in e.g. the US, Canada, many parts of Europe etc. - when it was effective, and people could have benefited from it. The process has been far, far too slow. Not remotely appropriate in a fast changing pandemic situation. I'd have been happy to have had Evusheld last year when it might have helped me, even if it maybe not so effective now.

[michichgo in reply to vivdunstan]

I can't understand the sloooooow rollout. Entirely unacceptable, really.

[Katie18]

thank you for sharing