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Pharmaceuticals Policy in the EU

Latest news on the pharmaceutical policies of the European Union.

New talks with CureVac expand EU portfolio of future vaccines 20 August 2020, 23:59 CET
The EU Commission concluded Thursday exploratory talks with CureVac to purchase a potential vaccine against COVID-19, offering the possibility for all EU Member States to purchase the vaccine.

European Vaccines Strategy 20 August 2020, 23:54 CET
As part of the effort to help protect people everywhere and EU citizens in particular, the Commission is proposing an EU strategy to accelerate the development, manufacturing, and deployment of vaccines against COVID-19. COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT, THE EUROPEAN COUNCIL, THE COUNCIL AND THE EUROPEAN INVESTMENT BANK EU Strategy for COVID-19 vaccines - COM/2020/245 final

Brussels reaches 1st agreement on potential COVID-19 vaccine 19 August 2020, 00:11 CET
The Commission reached first agreement Friday with pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca to buy a potential vaccine against COVID-19 as well as to donate to lower and middle income countries.

Brussels secures EU access to COVID-19 drug Remdesivir 31 July 2020, 18:45 CET
The European Commission signed a contract with pharmaceutical company Gilead Tuesday to secure treatment doses of Veklury, the brand name for Remdesivir, for EU Member States and the UK.

First Ebola vaccine receives European approval 13 November 2019, 00:01 CET
The European Commission adopted a decision Tuesday granting the first-ever market authorisation to the company Merck Sharp & Dohme B.V. for a vaccine against the deadly Ebola virus.

EU, US agree pharmaceuticals mutual recognition 17 July 2019, 15:56 CET
The EU and the United States have completed a Mutual Recognition Agreement, with both sides agreeing to reduce barriers and increase trade in pharmaceuticals as part of ongoing EU-U.S. trade talks.

EU launches ICT, pharma cases against India, Turkey at WTO 02 April 2019, 22:26 CET
The EU brought two disputes in the World Trade Organisation against India and Turkey Tuesday, respectively targeting unlawful import duties on IT products and unlawful measures on pharmaceuticals.

Drug use increase in European cities: wastewater report 14 March 2019, 14:23 CET
The latest findings from the largest European project in the emerging science of wastewater analysis were presented Thursday by the Europe-wide SCORE group, in association with the EU drugs agency.

Strategic approach to pharmaceuticals in the environment 13 March 2019, 15:57 CET
The European Commission adopted on 11 March a Communication outlining a set of actions addressing the multifaceted challenges that the release of pharmaceuticals poses to the environment.

New EU rules on fake drugs enter into force 12 February 2019, 19:07 CET
New rules on safety features for prescription medicines sold in the EU entered into force Saturday, heralding the introduction of end-to-end verification and safety features on prescription medicines.

Falsified medicines 11 February 2019, 14:14 CET
Falsified medicines are often disguised as authentic medicines but may contain ingredients of bad or toxic quality, or in the wrong dosage. As they have not been properly checked for quality, safety and efficacy, as required by strict EU authorisation, they can pose a real risk to your health. As falsified medicines become more sophisticated, the risk of them reaching patients in the EU increases. They represent a serious threat to global health and call for a comprehensive strategy both at European and international level.

New safety features for medicines sold in the EU 11 February 2019, 14:16 CET
As of 9 February 2019, the new rules on safety features for prescription medicines sold in the EU will apply.

Boost for joint European assessment of medicines 04 October 2018, 18:23 CET
A new law adopted by the European Parliament on Wednesday aims to avoid duplicating national assessments to determine a medicine's added value that help EU countries decide on pricing.

Drugs report highlights resurgence of cocaine in Europe 08 June 2018, 00:11 CET
The European Drug Report 2018, issued by the EU drugs agency Thursday, highlights increased availability of cocaine in Europe, with around 2.3 million young adults having used the drug in the last year.

Supplementary protection certificate for medicinal products 29 May 2018, 23:34 CET
The EU Commission proposed on 28 May a targeted adjustment to intellectual property rules to help Europe's pharmaceutical companies tap into fast-growing global markets and foster jobs, growth and investments in the EU.

EU pharma waiver to boost generic drugs exports 30 May 2018, 00:05 CET
The EU Commission proposed Monday to adjust intellectual property rules to help Europe's pharmaceutical companies tap into fast-growing global markets and foster jobs, growth and investments in the EU.

Conditional EU approval for Bayer buy of Monsanto 22 March 2018, 22:34 CET
The EU Commission approved Bayer's acquisition of Monsanto Wednesday, declaring itself satisfied with the parties' remedies, worth well over EUR 6 billion, to meet Brussels' competition concerns in full.

Bayer - Monsanto: the Commission's competition concerns 22 March 2018, 22:30 CET
The European Commission approved on 21 March under the EU Merger Regulation the acquisition of Monsanto by Bayer. The merger is conditional on the divestiture of an extensive remedy package, which addresses the parties' overlaps in seeds, pesticides and digital agriculture.

MEPs call for worldwide ban on animal testing of cosmetics 21 February 2018, 22:56 CET
The EU should launch a diplomatic drive for a worldwide ban on the animal testing of cosmetics before 2023, the European Parliament's Environment Committee said on Tuesday.

Roche and Novartis lose Avastin case at EU Court 23 January 2018, 23:13 CET
An agreement between pharma giants Roche and Novartis to reduce use of Avastin in ophthalmology and increase use of Lucentis could constitute restriction of competition, the EU Court ruled Tuesday.

Guidance to help pharma companies prepare for Brexit 30 November 2017, 13:59 CET
The European Medicines Agency (EMA) has published additional guidance to help pharmaceutical companies prepare for the United Kingdom’s (UK) withdrawal from the European Union (EU). The guidance document outlines the practical and simplified requirements that companies should follow when they apply for changes to their marketing authorisation to allow for the continued marketing of their medicine in the European Economic Area after the UK withdraws from the EU. The guidance has been prepared on the basis that the UK will become a third country as of 30 March 2019.

10 years of the EU Paediatric Regulation 26 October 2017, 23:08 CET
The European Commission presented a report on 26 October to the European Parliament and the EU Council on progress made in children's medicines since the Paediatric Regulation came into force 10 years ago.

European Banking Authority and European Medicines Agency after Brexit - Commission assessment of country offers 03 October 2017, 18:26 CET
European Commission publishes assessment of Member State offers to host European Banking Authority and European Medicines Agency after Brexit

Synthetic opioids a growing health threat: EU report 07 June 2017, 18:38 CET
Highly potent synthetic opioids pose a growing health threat, according to an EU report Tuesday which highlights rising overdose deaths and continued availability of new psychoactive substances.

EU probes Aspen price hikes for cancer drugs 17 May 2017, 17:38 CET
The European Commission opened Monday a formal investigation into concerns that Aspen Pharma has engaged in excessive pricing concerning five life-saving cancer medicines.