Pharmaceuticals Policy in the EU

Latest news on the pharmaceutical policies of the European Union.

EU agency needs to be more open in pandemic response: Ombudsman

The EU Ombudsman called Tuesday for greater transparency and public scrutiny at Europe's disease prevention agency, as part of a wide-ranging enquiry into how EU institutions responded to the pandemic.

New EU pharma strategy to make medicines affordable

A new pharmaceutical strategy, adopted Wednesday by the EU Commission, offers patients access to affordable medicines and supports competitiveness and innovation in Europe's pharma industry.

A Pharmaceutical Strategy for Europe - guide

The European Commission adopted on 25 November a Pharmaceutical Strategy for Europe to ensure patients have access to innovative and affordable medicines and to support the competitiveness, innovative capacity and sustainability of the EU's pharmaceutical industry.

EU approves BioNTech -Pfizer contract for access to vaccine

The Commission approved a fourth contract with pharmaceutical companies BioNTech and Pfizer Wednesday, providing for an initial purchase of 200 million doses on behalf of all EU Member States.

Brussels signs first contract with AstraZeneca

The first pharmaceutical contract negotiated by the EU Commission on behalf of EU Member States entered into force Thursday following the formal signature between AstraZeneca and the Commission.

Brussels concludes talks with fifth vaccine manufacturer

The EU concluded exploratory talks with U.S. based company Moderna Monday to purchase a potential vaccine against COVID-19 - the fifth company with which the Commission has concluded talks.

New talks with CureVac expand EU portfolio of future vaccines

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.