Dear [MP NAME],

I am one of your constituents writing on behalf of my friend who has immune system damage due to chemotherapy.

In March 2022 a new treatment was authorized by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) specifically for people who have had cancers/other immune damaging treatments and for whom the current Covid vaccines do not provide adequate protection. In particular, people like my friend, treated with Rituximab, are at serious ongoing danger and remain shielding (please see https://rheumatology.medicinematters.com/covid-19/rituximab/national-covid-cohort-collaborative/19947862).

Despite this drug being authorized, patients have been unable to access it either via hospitals (who say it has not been purchased) or privately (who say it is "only available on the NHS"). A recent article in the news noted that the UK is the only developed country in the world not to have ordered this drug to protect these people.

This drug would be life altering for these patients. It would allow them to re-enter society and I do not understand why this inexpensive treatment, which could re-start normality and full participation, is being withheld. The Clinical Commissioning Group that my friend contacted said that "Although Evusheld has been approved by the MHRA, there is currently no national policy decision yet."

I would be grateful for anything you could do to draw this to the government's attention.

Yours,

[YOUR NAME]