It certainly appears to be very effective against serious illness [Link] One of the ingredients is proven (ritonavir) and apparently a long standard HIV drug, (PF-07321332 works by reducing the ability of SARS-CoV-2 the virus that causes COVID-19 to multiply in the body while ritonavir prolongs the action of PF-07321332 enabling it to remain longer in the body at levels that affect the multiplication of the virus).

We might get the 'rushing it out' 'lets wait 7000 years' arguments, but as it appears to work and is used for those who are relatively speaking most in need, so it's a welcome development in my book.

Some countries certainly got the short straw in terms of access to vaccines, that's for sure. Often in countries where people are hardly the healthiest as it is.

They have been quietly doing that for a long time. In our local hospital many of the unsocial hour shifts, and unpopular wards, (difficult or aggressive patients) are staffed mainly by international nurses, many from Africa. So far as I am aware visas for nursing assistants are not available.

This’ll cheer you up. The government are advertising and pushing visas to Africans to come and work in care and as NHS nursing assistants. Aren’t they replacing those being put out of work?

I think that statement is unfair. A lot of people I know, myself included, would be willing to pay more, as we appreciate its value to society.
Things that have seen costs escalate include (but not restricted to ) advances in expensive treatments, massive costs of pharmaceuticals and an increasingly aged population.
And although a lot of people profess to want to pay more for the NHS, (significant)rises in taxes has never been a vote winner.

And the ?NHS has always (certainly in my lifetime) seen significant numbers of trainee nurses come from Africa. There are some associated problems with this, which arise from cultural differences, but also not having English as a first language (or at least not having a full and fluent grasp of the language) is slightly risky when it comes to dispensing drugs, and communicating with other medical professionals.

Due to the unwillingness of UK citizens to pay for the NHS this has been true for decades and to its detriment.