European pharmaceutical industry response to COVID-19
As the impact of COVID-19 continues to be felt across the world, the biopharmaceutical industry in Europe remains committed to global efforts to care for those affected, contain the outbreak and develop resources to tackle future outbreaks.
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Coronavirus – your questions answered
What is the industry in Europe doing to help in the fight against the coronavirus? What are the risks of drug shortage caused by the coronavirus?
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Equitable access to innovative COVID-19 vaccines in Africa should focus on healthcare system absorption capacities & vaccine confidence
The Africa CDC announced it will ask the world to pause COVID-19 vaccine donations. How did we get to this situation?23.02.22Read Article -
Getting the world vaccinated against COVID-19
With distribution no longer being a bottleneck, we need to focus all energy on the main remaining barriers to vaccine equity16.02.22Read Article -
EFPIA welcomes the peer-reviewed publication of the research-based industry experience of COVID-19 regulatory flexibilities in Europe
The publication will inform planning for future pandemic preparedness and also provides essential guidance on where we can focus our efforts to further advance the European regulatory environment for all products and settings.10.02.22Read Article -
Achieving global vaccine equity and tackling new variants
Intellectual property is part of the solution to get the world vaccinated against COVID-1929.11.21Read Article -
EFPIA - Vaccines Europe statement on Omicron variant
Working with the broader scientific community, public health and regulatory bodies around the world, our industry will continue to bring that experience and expertise to bear on new variants such as omicron.29.11.21Read Article -
The European Commission and Innovative Biopharmaceutical Industries to Explore Potential Initiatives to Enhance Local Production of Vaccines and Treatments in Africa
This initiative has brought together a diverse range of continental and international stakeholders to collaborate in the drive to increase the continent's vaccine manufacturing capacity.26.11.21Read Article -
EFPIA and Vaccines Europe position on the European Health Emergency preparedness and Response Authority (HERA)
While during the pandemic the EU reacted to issues as they arose, the creation of HERA is a first step to putting Europe on the front foot in addressing global health threats.17.11.21Read Article -
Fitting vaccine research into one year – Were animals used?
A blog by EFPIA and Vaccines Europe27.10.21Read Article -
HERA: Putting Europe on the front foot against global health threats
Our industry is committed to working with the new Authority towards the shared goal of a safer, healthier, more resilient Europe.16.09.21Read Article -
Beyond the Basics: Tackling post-Covid healthcare challenges in Central and Eastern Europe (Guest blog)
We need to start to reimagine our healthcare systems. We cannot afford to go back to where we were before. Now is the time for under-resourced and often, ill-equipped pre-Covid healthcare systems to be totally redesigned.16.07.21Read Article -
Health Systems after COVID-19 – charting a course for a healthier Europe
EFPIA believes that once we emerge from this crisis, we should not only rebuild our economies and get our societies back on their feet, but also take the opportunity to implement an ambitious reform agenda for European health systems14.07.21Read Article -
Global regulators and coalition of pharma and vaccine manufacturing associations come together to discuss COVID-19 pandemic response
An opportunity to discuss and harmonize the regulatory strategies, approaches and tools that can enable pharmaceutical product manufacturers to increase manufacturing capacity even more rapidly for the production of COVID-19 vaccines and therapeutics06.07.21Read Article -
Biopharmaceutical CEO Brussels meeting with EU leaders focuses on equitable access to tackle COVID-19, fostering innovation and unmet needs
Working together to be better prepared for future pandemics, to bring the best practices from the last 18 months into business as usual and to be ready for the exciting new technologies and products that industry will deliver22.06.21Read Article -
Can partnerships help boost vaccine supply? (Guest blog)
An interview with Dr Steffen Lang, Global Head of Novartis Technical Operations and member of the Executive Committee of Novartis14.06.21Read Article -
Podcast: From raw materials to patients’ arms – how are COVID-19 vaccines made?
Welcome to 19 Conversations10.06.21Read Article -
EFPIA response to the EU Communication on “Urgent Trade Policy Responses to the COVID-19 crisis"
Compulsory licensing will not facilitate greater vaccine equity but could put the hard-won progress in fighting this terrible disease in jeopardy.04.06.21Read Article -
Industry as a partner to strengthen healthcare systems after COVID-19 (Guest blog)
Catherine Owen, Head of Major Markets at Bristol Myers Squibb, discusses how the pharmaceutical industry has supported healthcare systems to overcome the pandemic and how future health policy reforms should reflect this fundamental role.27.05.21Read Article -
COVID-19 vaccine makers invite G20 leaders to support the five steps to urgently advance COVID-19 vaccine equity
Immediate action must focus on stepping up responsible dose sharing and maximizing production without compromising quality or safety.21.05.21Read Article -
Keep the progress on cancer care: New Report draws lessons from COVID-19
The pandemic has hit every aspect of cancer care, putting patients at higher risk of poor outcomes. A new report sets out 6 ways to regain lost momentum and build on positive lessons learned during the crisis.20.05.21Read Article -
The hidden pandemic: the melanoma patient experience during the COVID-19 pandemic (Guest blog)
Melanoma is the most severe and life-threatening form of skin cancer20.05.21Read Article -
Five steps to urgently advance COVID-19 vaccine equity
Immediate action must focus on stepping up responsible dose sharing and maximizing production without compromising quality or safety.19.05.21Read Article -
EFPIA statement on the EU Strategy on COVID Therapeutics
There are currently nearly 3000 clinical trials exploring therapeutics for treating COVID patients and around 61 therapeutic candidates06.05.21Read Article -
EFPIA statement on IP waiver for COVID-19 vaccines
While we wholeheartedly agree with the goal of protecting citizens around the world through vaccines, waiving patents will make winning the fight against the coronavirus even harder06.05.21Read Article -
EFPIA – Vaccines Europe response to global leaders urgent call for international pandemic treaty
The devastating human and economic cost of the COVID-19 pandemic has underlined the need for a global response.30.03.21Read Article -
Podcast: How can monoclonal antibodies help in the fight against COVID-19?
Welcome to 19 Conversations24.03.21Read Article -
EU vaccine roll out: Putting hard-won progress in jeopardy
When the European Council gathers virtually later this week, it remains critical to avoid reactionary proposals that could disrupt the production and delivery of vital COVID-19 vaccines.23.03.21Read Article -
Why I am #TeamVaccines (Guest blog)
Dr Paul Robinson from MSD spends 2-3 half days a week vaccinating people against COVID-19, and says the sense of relief when that first vaccine goes in is often palpable.18.03.21Read Article -
Life, loss and connection: Why I am #TeamVaccines
It is together, by being part of this unprecedented vaccination programme, that we can all play a role in reconnecting with each other. It is what my Dad’s whole life was about and it is why I am #TeamVaccines.12.03.21Read Article -
Podcast: How can we future-proof medicines regulation in the post-COVID world?
Welcome to 19 conversations09.03.21Read Article -
Learnings from COVID-19: Partnerships leading the way for clinical trial modernisation (Guest blog)
Platform trials would prove especially helpful in rare disease research. Since these illnesses affect small to very small numbers of patients, traditional trials requiring large groups of participants aren't feasible.03.03.21Read Article -
A formula for vaccine breakthroughs
Intellectual property is a key ingredient in COVID-19 vaccine development01.03.21Read Article -
IP and COVID – part of the solution not part of the problem
Fostering a research eco-system that can deliver that innovation rather than undermining it through challenges to IP like compulsory licensing, is the best way to protect citizens across Europe and around the world24.02.21Read Article -
New Normal, Same Cancer (Guest blog)
Strong coordinated efforts are needed to reduce the future impacts of the pandemic on cancer patients25.02.21Read Article -
One pandemic, two lenses: Why I am part of #TeamVaccines
We can all make a difference by getting vaccinated; protecting ourselves, protecting our friends and families, protecting each other23.02.21Read Article -
EFPIA statement on EU Trade Strategy
The COVID-19 pandemic has underlined the importance of global cooperation and well-functioning global supply chains22.02.21Read Article -
EFPIA Statement in response to EU Export Restrictions for COVID-19 vaccines
The establishment by the European Commission of an export authorisation system for Member States to use regarding COVID-19 vaccines, risks delaying and could jeopardise the supply of vaccines to people across Europe and around the world.29.01.21Read Article -
EFPIA-Vaccines Europe statement on COVID-19 vaccines distribution
Scientists and experts are working day and night to address these challenges, increasing the capacity of manufacturing facilities and fine-tuning processes.27.01.21Read Article -
Podcast: Has COVID-19 transformed telemedicine forever?
Welcome to 19 Conversations21.01.21Read Article -
COVID-19: A data challenge and a catalyst for new insights (Guest blog)
The healthcare ecosystem is demonstrating its ability to share data to uncover new insights for the benefit of all during the pandemic but there is more to be done, says Nigel Hughes, scientific director at Epidemiology, Janssen R&D.20.01.21Read Article -
Podcast: How is the pharmaceutical industry contributing to the fight against COVID-19?
Welcome to 19 Conversations14.01.21Read Article -
Drug shortages: Lessons from the COVID-19 crisis
Everything you always wanted to know about drug shortages (but were afraid to ask)17.12.20Read Article -
Moving towards the next normal (Guest blog)
How changes driven by COVID-19 may shape pharma manufacturing in the long term01.12.20Read Article -
Podcast: How can Europe be better prepared for future pandemics?
Welcome to 19 Conversations17.11.20Read Article -
COVID-19 vaccines: a watershed moment for science
An interview with Magdalena de Azero, Executive Director, Vaccines Europe04.11.20Read Article -
Biopharmaceutical industry support EU regulators exceptional transparency measures
And call other regulatory authorities to follow suit to help ensure confidence in the science and the decision-making14.10.20Read Article -
COVID threat must inject urgency into trade talks, say UK & EU pharma bodies
The UK and EU pharmaceutical industry are today jointly asking the UK Government and the European Commission to prioritise medicines in trade talks28.09.20Read Article -
Vaccines Europe statement on the Hearing on "How to secure access to COVID-19 vaccines for EU citizens"
#WeWontRest until there is a COVID-19 vaccine for everyone22.09.20Read Article -
Vaccines Europe Statement on the safety of COVID-19 vaccines
The health and safety of people receiving any vaccine is our first priority, and that applies equally to recipients of a COVID-19 vaccine17.09.20Read Article -
EFPIA statement on COVID-19 vaccine
Developing a compensation system that works for patients, healthcare systems and all those fighting COVID-1926.08.20Read Article -
2020: A year like no other – and it’s only half time
Time to shed light on some highlights but also time to reflect about the coming six months in a new environment30.07.20Read Article -
EFPIA Statement on EU4Health Budget cuts
The devastating effects on people and societies of COVID-19 has underlined that investment in our health systems is vital to prevent future health crises and build a healthier, more resilient Europe for all. That is why we are disappointed to see the European Council’s drastic reduction of the budget allocated to the EU4Health programme.23.07.20Read Article -
Europe’s COVID-19 response points the way to fighting AMR
Antimicrobial resistance: Perspectives from a pharmaceutical SME16.07.20Read Article -
How biotech SMEs adapted to COVID-19: An interview with Minoryx Therapeutics
As the pandemic threatened to disrupt key clinical trials, a small company responded swiftly to protect patients and keep rare diseases research on track16.07.20Read Article -
Faster and better decisions: accelerating the digital transformation in the time of COVID-19
As the healthcare system evolves, we believe that Europe will need to encourage health data sharing, whilst respecting privacy and security and facilitate purposeful adoption of technology into many aspects of healthcare.07.07.20Read Article -
Preparing for a potential second COVID-19 wave
Joint statement by Medicines for Europe and EFPIA with A.T. Kearney22.06.20Read Article -
COVID-19 and Brexit - Protecting patients across Europe from pandemics
A group of 18 pan-European healthcare stakeholders launched the statement “COVID-19 and Brexit – Protecting patients across Europe from pandemics” which highlights the importance of addressing health issues as part of the agreement on the future relationship between the EU and the UK.19.06.20Read Article -
United in the fight against COVID-19: EFPIA and Vaccines Europe response to the EU Strategy for COVID-19 vaccines
United in the fight against this unprecedented pandemic, EFPIA and Vaccines Europe support the Commission’s efforts for a coordinated EU approach to ensure that vaccines developed to combat COVID-19 are accessible to citizens across Europe as quickly as possible.17.06.20Read Article -
In the face of adversity, we have a choice: we can be bitter, or we can be better (Guest blog)
We believe that solidarity should be the guiding principle that drives our recovery16.06.20Read Article -
EU-level collaboration on joint clinical assessment of medicines in a post-COVID-19 world
As we get to grips with what the ‘new normal’ looks like, we are also trying to identify the lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic. At EFPIA, one of the key insights from the crisis has been the value of collaboration.08.06.20Read Article -
The collaborative search for a COVID-19 vaccine
As countries are gradually lifting the confinement measures, it is clear that new vaccines represent our best hope of moving out from under the shadow of the coronavirus epidemic.04.06.20Read Article -
EFPIA statement in following the call with EU Commissioner Kyriakides
Today, together with industry sister associations EFPIA met with EU Health Commissioner Stella Kyriakides, other relevant Commission services as well as representatives of the European Patients Forum, European Medicines Agency (EMA), the European Centre for Disease Control (ECDC) and the European Public Health Alliance to discuss Europe’s continued fight against COVID-1929.05.20Read Article -
What I have learned from the pandemic and why connections are so important (Guest blog)
Brigit has been living with Multiple Sclerosis for more than 15 years now and, as many other patients, was not prepared for a lock down. #MSConnections28.05.20Read Article -
Resilience and recovery: EFPIA response to the publication of the EU recovery plan
We very much welcome the Commission’s commitment to resilience and recovery, in particular the inclusion of the new Health Programme, EU4Health and the funding for Horizon Europe, which will be reinforced to fund vital research in health, resilience and the green and digital transitions27.05.20Read Article -
Shoulder to shoulder with patients with bladder cancer during times of pandemic (Guest blog)
Raising awareness about bladder cancer and treatment options while promoting collaborative approaches and support to patients and their carers is more necessary than ever. This is the reason we support Bladder Cancer Awareness Month.25.05.20Read Article -
Clinical Trials: Servier adapts to ensure continuity (Guest blog)
Lydie Poitout, Head of Clinical Trial Management Department at Servier explains how they have adapted to the circumstances20.05.20Read Article -
Going the extra mile to keep clinical trials on track during the COVID-19 pandemic (Guest blog)
A Novartis team couriers an experimental treatment across Europe to a patient as transit grinds to a halt20.05.20Read Article -
Cancer & COVID-19: a delicate balancing act - An interview with Antonella Cardone
People with cancer are dying from coronavirus – and many more will suffer from delayed diagnosis and care14.05.20Read Article -
Stories from the frontline: This is an ideal time to share knowledge and skills, especially when we have a common goal: stop the COVID-19 spreading (Guest blog)
Agnieszka Figas, Medical Affairs Manager at MSD Poland, joined the MSD volunteering programme fighting the pandemic by supporting a newly created laboratory in Warsaw performing tests on SARS-CoV-214.05.20Read Article -
Resilience and recovery: EFPIA statement in advance of tomorrow’s meeting of EU Health Ministers
Now more than ever is it crucial that all actors work together to forge a Pharmaceutical Strategy linked to both the industrial strategy and recovery plan that can drive Europe’s economic recovery while building its resilience to this and future health threats.11.05.20Read Article -
Europe’s COVID-19 battle: Data holds the key to ensuring patients get the medicines they need
In a week that saw the European Commission take a lead role in the global fight against COVID-19, the weekly call with the Commissioners dedicated to COVID-19 today addressed the practical challenges caused by the crisis with pragmatic solutions that put the needs of patients first08.05.20Read Article -
Europe’s COVID-19 battle: Supply, resilience and recovery
As Europe considers its exit strategy, we are committed to working with all partners in research and healthcare to build Europe’s resilience and pandemic preparedness, from the scientist’s bench to the patient’s bedside.04.05.20Read Article -
Europe’s fight against COVID-19: Seeing the best in people
Like any war, we have witnessed the heart ache and damage it causes – with over 100,000 lives lost across Europe. But during these times, we also see the best in people.30.04.20Read Article -
Stories from the frontline: MSD Denmark employees volunteer in the fight against COVID-19 (Guest blog)
Covid-19 has obliged many citizens from various walks of life to work additional hours or work differently in order to combat this new and invisible enemy. At MSD Denmark, many health professionals have chosen to volunteer to help cushion the impact of the virus.30.04.20Read Article -
Repurposing – what is it and why it’s important for COVID-19 (Guest blog)
One of the quickest options for tackling COVID-19 is to try repurpose existing treatments, for example medicines that are already approved for treating other viral infections29.04.20Read Article -
Ensuring the continuity of clinical trials
EFPIA response to revised European Commission issues guidance to mitigate clinical trial disruption in the EU28.04.20Read Article -
World IP Day – The shoulders of giants
Our collective route out from under the cloud of this pandemic is through science and innovation26.04.20Read Article -
EFPIA statement on the launch of a new global collaboration to accelerate the development, production and equitable access to new COVID-19 tools
On 24 April the WHO launched the Access to COVID-19 Tools (act) Accelerator24.04.20Read Article -
Europe’s COVID-19 battle: Getting the data we need to ensure the supply of medicines
A major part of the solution is the provision of detailed, accurate forecasting data from the European Centre for Disease Control (ECDC) on the patient-level demand for medicines in each Member State.23.04.20Read Article -
The route out from under the cloud of coronavirus
EFPIA statement on the European Council Meeting and the EU Roadmap for Recovery23.04.20Read Article -
Stories from the frontline: As an intensive care doctor, I could not wait and do nothing. It runs through my veins: I wanted to help (Guest blog)
Yacir Fannan is an Infectious Disease Medical Affairs Specialist at MSD France, based in Marseille. In the last weeks, he has decided to put back on his doctor's coat to fight the Covid-19 pandemic and help patients23.04.20Read Article -
Stories from the frontline: We must modestly make our contribution and stick together to express our spirit of solidarity (Guest blog)
Philippe Mariot has been a Medical Affairs Associate Director for MSD since April 2019; he is responsible for the development and implementation of the medical strategy for HIV. Trained as a general practitioner, he specialized in Infectious disease and worked several years in clinical research.23.04.20Read Article -
The COVID-19 “Regulatory Road to Innovation”
Lessons learned on optimising Research, Development and Regulatory Processes21.04.20Read Article -
COVID-19 and Cancer: Handling uncertainty – Working Together (Guest blog)
In times where we need each other’s skills, where there is a big unmet need, not only against COVID-19, we should also change our ways of working together towards our shared objective – to improve cancer patients lives.21.04.20Read Article -
Exscalate4Cov project: Call for Collaboration by DG Connect
The European Commission (DG Connect) is looking for industry partners to join the Exscalate4Cov project, seeking to accelerate identification of medicines that can support the fight against COVID-19.20.04.20Read Article -
Europe’s COVID-19 battle: Ensuring the supply of medicines and the continuity of clinical trials
EFPIA member companies are continuing to work around the clock to increase capacity and ensure the supply of critical medicines to patients across Europe19.04.20Read Article -
Open letter to Members of the European Parliament in response to European Parliament resolution on EU coordinated action to combat the COVID-19 pandemic and its consequences
As an industry, we continue to stand shoulder to shoulder with citizens, patients, health systems, Member States and the EU Institutions in tackling the COVID-19 emergency19.04.20Read Article -
Solidarity, collaboration and partnership: EFPIA statement on the virtual meeting of EU Health Leaders
EFPIA welcomes the call for solidarity, collaboration and partnership in addressing the COVID-19 crisis at yesterday’s informal virtual meeting of Europe’s Health Ministers organised by the Croatian Presidency of the EU16.04.20Read Article -
Creating the research eco-system in Europe to tackle COVID-19 and future pandemics
EFPIA welcomes the ERAvsCorona Action plan and its contribution to creating a strong COVID-19 research community and a European research eco-system that can respond to future health threats.16.04.20Read Article -
Partnership and collaboration: The new normal in the fight against COVID-19
Europe’s R&D ecosystem is embracing collaboration like never before in the search for diagnostics, treatments and vaccines against coronavirus16.04.20Read Article -
European Industry trade and supply chain needs to respond to Covid-19
Industry is pushing capacity limits to meet the exponential rise in demand and needs continued coordinated and collective action from the EU and Member States to maintain open trade and efficient supply chains, both within the EU and with the EU’s trading partners10.04.20Read Article -
Europe’s COVID-19 battle: Update on the supply of medicines to the patients that need them
EFPIA member companies remain focused on the vital need to secure continuity of supply of medicines to patients across Europe09.04.20Read Article -
Official Update on the Connecting Healthcare Awards
A special COVID-19 category now available08.04.20Read Article -
Managing ongoing Clinical Trials in the current COVID-19 pandemic situation
It is of the utmost importance to strive as far as possible for a harmonised approach across all European countries as the issues are the same everywhere in this extraordinary pandemic situation08.04.20Read Article -
Indoors, but active and open more than ever to collaboration. From Italy, a story of ordinary civic commitment to protect health as a common good (Guest blog)
Cittadinanzattiva highlights the ongoing collaborative efforts in Italy, where industry and civil society partners came together to tackle the Covid-19 emergency07.04.20Read Article -
COVID-19 – A multiplier impact on the diabetes community (Guest blog)
While focusing on immediate priorities and public health emergencies, we should all already start learning from this crisis and derive key imperatives to improve, in the longer term, the sustainability of our health systems and the coordination at national and European levels.02.04.20Read Article -
Trade policy and COVID-19: Openness and cooperation in times of a pandemic
In order to beat the pandemic, we need global cooperation, sharing resources, and significant investments01.04.20Read Article -
European research-based industry publishes commitments on tackling COVID-19
With Europe at the epicentre of the COVID-19 crisis, the researched-based pharmaceutical industry is coming together to commit its resources, expertise and people to the fight against COVID-19.01.04.20Read Article -
Pharma volunteering during Covid-19 crisis (Guest blog)
A blog from Innovative Pharmaceutical Initiative – iF!, the Croatian association of innovative pharmaceutical manufacturers30.03.20Read Article -
Patient Organisations and Europe’s fight against COVID-19: Industry – let’s step up
In the midst of this unprecedented situation patients communities represent, and care for, those most vulnerable to the impact of COVID-19.30.03.20Read Article -
#COVID19 and cancer (Guest blog)
An open letter from Bettina Ryll to all cancer patient advocates26.03.20Read Article -
COVID-19 – Fighting the fakes
In times of crisis like the current COVID-19 pandemic, unfortunately, there is always someone looking to make a quick buck.25.03.20Read Article -
Leadership at times of uncertainty (Guest blog)
Dealing with the challenges of operating in a VUCA environment24.03.20Read Article -
Pharma boss: EU will have to focus on long-term medical research ecosystem
In an interview with Euractiv, Nathalie Moll said that EFPIA members are working around the clock to find vaccines, diagnostics and treatments to use in the fight against coronavirus.23.03.20Read Article -
Europe’s COVID-19 battle: Update on the supply of medicines to the patients that need them
At this point EFPIA members do not anticipate impacts to their supply chains unless disruption due to the COVID-19 outbreak is sustained over several months.23.03.20Read Article -
Europe’s COVID-19 battle: working together to ensure the supply of medicines to the patients that need them
EFPIA warmly welcomes this week’s adoption of a range of measures aimed at maintaining the free circulation of medicines around Europe.18.03.20Read Article -
Europe’s COVID-19 battle: supply, support and the search for diagnostics, vaccines, treatments and cures
In any health emergency from HIV to SARS, Ebola to the coronavirus, attention turns to the research-based biopharmaceutical industry to discover and develop vaccines, diagnostics, treatments and cures.18.03.20Read Article -
Tackling COVID-19: EFPIA welcomes proactive and regular dialogue with Commissioners on the supply of medicines during the COVID-19 pandemic
EFPIA joined a call with Health Commissioner Kyriakides, Commissioner Breton and Commissioner Lenarčič to discuss the potential impact of the coronavirus on the supply of vaccines and medicines.13.03.20Read Article -
EFPIA update on research-based pharmaceutical industry response to COVID-19
The advent of a global health emergency such as coronavirus underlines the need for a collaborative, dynamic, responsive and empowered research eco-system in Europe.11.03.20Read Article -
IMI opens registrations for a webinar on the Coronavirus Call
The Innovative Medicines Initiative to launch EUR 45 million Call for proposals on COVID-19 early March20.02.20Read Article -
Joining the fight against coronavirus
We have issued a call to EFPIA members to identify suitable assets in their libraries that could be utilized in the fight against coronaviruses.04.02.20Read Article