Remdesivir and tixagevimab plus cilgavimab for treating COVID-19

Section 7 of the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (Constitution and Functions) and the Health and Social Care Information Centre (Functions) Regulations 2013 requires integrated care boards, NHS England and, with respect to their public health functions, local authorities to comply with the recommendations in this evaluation within 3 months of its date of publication. Because remdesivir has been available through the early access to medicines scheme, NHS England and integrated care boards have agreed to provide funding to implement this guidance 30 days after publication.

The Welsh ministers have issued directions to the NHS in Wales on implementing NICE technology appraisal guidance. When a NICE technology appraisal guidance recommends the use of a drug or treatment, or other technology, the NHS in Wales must usually provide funding and resources for it within 2 months of the first publication of the final draft guidance.

When NICE recommends a treatment 'as an option', the NHS must make sure it is available within the period set out in the paragraphs above. This means that, if someone has COVID‑19, and the healthcare professional responsible for their care thinks that remdesivir is the right treatment, it should be available for use, in line with NICE's recommendations.

The Scottish Medicines Consortium collaborated with NICE on this guidance. In Scotland, the advice will have the same status for health board consideration as other Scottish Medicines Consortium advice on new medicines.