The Commission’s Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Authority (HERA) as part of its mandate on preparedness, has signed on behalf of participating Member States, a joint procurement framework contract for the supply of up to 665,000 pre-pandemic vaccine doses of the up-to-date Zoonotic Influenza Vaccine Seqirus, as well as an option for a further 40 million doses […]
Read MoreCommission decides to partially register a European Citizens’ Initiative on Cannabis
The Commission decided to partially register a European Citizens’ Initiative (ECI) entitled ‘European Cannabis Initiative’. The organisers call on the Commission to: convene a trans-European citizens’ assembly on cannabis policies, including sanctions and the consistency of Member States’ policies; foster access to medical cannabis and allow the transportation of cannabis and its derivatives prescribed for […]
Read MoreCommission recommends new measures on vaccine-preventable cancers under Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan
The European Commission is putting forward a Recommendation to support Member States in their efforts to prevent cancer through vaccination. Notably, it focuses on boosting the uptake of two key vaccinations that can prevent viral infections that may lead to cancer: against Human papillomaviruses (HPV) and Hepatitis B virus (HBV), as well as improving the monitoring of coverage rates. […]
Read MoreCommission opens participation to Critical Medicines Alliance
The European Commission’s Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Authority (HERA) launched an open call for expression of interest to join the Critical Medicines Alliance. The set up of the Alliance is one of the key actions to prevent and address shortages of critical medicines announced by the Commission in October 2023. The Alliance will bring together all relevant stakeholders, […]
Read MoreEuropean Commission publishes first EU list of essential medicines
The European Commission has published the first Union list of critical medicines, together with the European Medicines Agency (EMA) and the Member States’ Heads of Medicines Agencies (HMA). The publication follows the commitment made in the Commission’s Communication on addressing medicine shortages in the EU to accelerate the work on this list, originally announced in the EU’s pharmaceutical […]
Read MoreCOVID-19: European Commission authorises third vaccine for Member States’ autumn vaccination campaigns
The Commission has authorised the Nuvaxovid XBB.1.5-adapted COVID-19 vaccine, developed by Novavax. This is another important step in the fight against the disease. It is the first protein-based adapted vaccine authorised for this autumn and winter season. The European Medicines Agency (EMA) carried out an in-depth evaluation of the vaccine. Following this evaluation, the Commission […]
Read MoreEuropean Commission steps up action to tackle critical shortages of medicines and strengthen security of supply in the EU
The Commission has adopted a set of actions to better prevent and mitigate critical medicine shortages in the EU, this winter, next winter and beyond. Recent critical shortages, including of certain antibiotics last winter, show that continued coordinated action is needed to address supply challenges and to make Europe’s medicine supply chains more resilient in […]
Read MoreCommission authorises second adapted vaccine for Member States’ autumn vaccination campaigns
The Commission has authorised the Spikevax XBB.1.5-adapted COVID-19 vaccine, developed by Moderna. This is another important step in the fight against the disease. It is the third adaptation of this vaccine to respond to new COVID-19 variants. The European Medicines Agency (EMA) carried out a stringent evaluation of the vaccine under the accelerated assessment mechanism. Following this […]
Read MoreParliament endorsed new measures to better protect citizens who donate blood, tissues or cells
MEPs adopted the report on new rules governing the use of so-called substances of human origin (SoHO) in the EU, with 483 votes in favour, 52 against and 89 abstentions. The measures apply to substances – such as blood and its components (red/white cells, plasma), tissues and cells – used for transfusions, therapies, transplantations or […]
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