Mr Blair’s Institute for Global Change analysed the best policy approach the UK Government should take to tackle the corona-virus pandemic and future viral outbreaks.
The former Prime Minister’s group released its findings on February 26 in a paper called ‘The New Necessary: How We Future-Proof for the Next Pandemic’.
The paper said the UK Government should “fast-track research into and stockpiling of antivirals for a potential worst-case scenario’ Covid strain, giving them the same focus and prioritisation as vaccines have received”.
The think tank recommended patients hospitalised in the UK should be automatically be given trial drugs unless they “opt-out”.
Normally the routine is to only give trial drugs if patients actively “opt-in” to the process.
The paper stated: “Once safety has been proved, clinical trials should be ‘opt-out’ in any future pandemic.
Source: Express UK
