To ask the Minister of Health for an update on the provision of Palforzia.

Significant work had been undertaken by my officials, in close collaboration with a wide range of clinical experts and senior managers across the Health and Social Care system in Northern Ireland, to develop a regional delivery model that would have enabled children and young people here to access a Palforzia service. The service had been anticipated to launch in the coming months.

However, due to poor international sales, the company responsible for producing Palforzia announced in January 2026 that it would cease production, with global supplies expected to be exhausted by July 2026.

My officials, together with clinical leaders, have been actively seeking further information and clarification from other jurisdictions. Regrettably, as this is an international matter affecting children worldwide, no additional detail is available at this stage.

This is a deeply disappointing development. While Palforzia did not constitute a cure, it offered meaningful improvements in the quality of life for children and young people living with a peanut allergy.

We will reflect carefully on this experience and ensure that the learning is integrated into the future development of wider allergy services for children and young people across Northern Ireland.