About: Big pharma
Former Greek anti-corruption chief: Novartis scandal has harmed EU budget
The scandal involving Swiss pharmaceutical giant Novartis in Greece has affected the health budgets of other EU countries and the bloc’s finances, Greece’s former anti-corruption prosecutor Eleni Touloupaki told EURACTIV.com in an interview.
Pharma industry improved since before pandemic say patient groups
Since the pandemic, the public image of big pharma companies such as Sanofi, Pfizer, AstraZeneca, and Bayer has improved, according to a survey of 2,150 patient groups worldwide.
MEPs insist on fighting COVID misinformation and strengthening COVAX
On Wednesday (15 December) MEPs discussed the EU’s response to the pandemic of COVID-19 and the new variants. Most of the MEPs highlighted the rise of disinformation and the need to vaccinate populations outside of Europe.
Chizhov: Russia is well-placed to play a constructive role in Afghanistan
In a wide-ranging interview, the Russian ambassador to the EU Vladimir Chizhov discussed Afghanistan, the ‘Crimea Platform’, carbon border tax, COVID and vaccines, and the new political season.
Pfizer and Moderna raise prices for COVID-19 vaccines in EU
Pfizer Inc and Moderna Inc have raised the prices of their COVID-19 vaccines in their latest European Union supply contracts, the Financial Times reported on Sunday (1 August).
The untapped potential of data-driven healthcare
The COVID pandemic has been a wakeup call on the need to share healthcare data in a commonly usable format. The European Health Data Space would boost health research and underpin the development of personalized medical treatments, says Padraic Ward.
Even after US shift, opponents resist COVID-19 vaccine patent waiver
A deal on an intellectual property waiver for COVID-19 vaccines at the World Trade Organization (WTO) was no closer to acceptance on Monday (31 May) despite Washington's backing.
Covid-19 vaccine: A shot at redemption for Johnson and Johnson?
US health care giant Johnson & Johnson, beset by recent scandals over talcum powder and the opioid crisis, is poised for a reputational lift with its pathbreaking coronavirus vaccine.
Rich countries block push by developing nations to waive COVID vaccine patents rights
Richer members of the World Trade Organization (WTO) blocked a push by over 80 developing countries on Wednesday (10 March) to waive patent rights in an effort to boost production of COVID-19 vaccines for poor nations.
EU leaders take baby step toward vaccination certificate, fume at pharma industry
EU leaders decided at a teleconference on Thursday (25 February) to start working on a digital vaccination certificate now and start implementing it when there is sufficient number of EU citizens vaccinated.
Patents are not an obstacle to ramp up COVID-19 vaccines production, EU says
The European Commission aims to ramp up production of COVID-19 vaccines through “voluntary” sharing of know-how among pharma companies, EU sources said, emphasising that patents are not an obstacle to do that.
Countdown to ‘catastrophe’: How the EU fight for COVID shots unfolded
This Reuters report is based on exclusive details of internal EU talks over the past month in diplomatic notes, and interviews of four people present at key meetings to verify them.
EU leaked pharma strategy pushes innovation for a resilient Europe
Affordability, availability and sustainability are the main focus points of the EU’s new pharmaceutical strategy, due to be published on Wednesday (25 November).
MEP: A common EU tool to incentivise production and availability of orphan drugs
When it comes to rare diseases and 'orphan drugs', technology is there to support an “objective” EU tool that could provide the pharma industry with the necessary incentives to research and produce orphan drugs and simultaneously avoid exhausting ailing health systems, MEP Stelios Kympouropoulos told EURACTIV in an interview.
EU orphan drugs law and the emergence of SMEs
The legal framework provided by the current EU orphan drugs regulation has encouraged a number of small and medium sized companies (SMEs) to develop innovative technologies in the fight against rare diseases in Europe, stakeholders told EURACTIV.com.
Commission’s ‘risky’ move to re-visit orphan drugs regulation
The European Commission is expected to present by the end of July an evaluation study on the pros and cons of the application of orphan and paediatric regulations, which deal with a niche segment of rare diseases that affect fewer than five in 10,000 people.
German EU Presidency: Influenced by lobbyists?
Large lobbying associations have a strong influence on the German government and there are concerns that this might impact its EU Council presidency, which starts on 1 July, warned a study conducted by NGOs LobbyControl and Corporate Europe Observatory. EURACTIV Germany reports.
Drug industry reacts to Oxfam’s allegations of tax-dodging
Four of the world’s biggest pharma companies appear to hide their profits in tax havens, according to a report published by Oxfam on Tuesday (18 September). Businesses said they are in the clear.
EFPIA President: Next EU Commission should prioritise competitiveness in pharma innovation
The next European Commission should focus on the bloc’s role in the global context of innovation, as China is “decisive” about creating a reliable framework for intellectual property and connecting biotech start-ups and digital companies, EFPIA’s President Stefan Oschmann told EURACTIV.com in an interview.
Health care risks being forgotten in Brexit talks, industry warns
Health risks being forgotten in Brexit negotiations, potentially delaying the availability of new medicines and imposing large costs on manufacturers, public health leaders have warned.OpinionPromoted content
Drugs incentives have saved lives in Europe
Without strong incentives to spur continued investment in medical innovation, we cannot hope to ensure the sustainability of European healthcare systems and fulfil the promise of our great union, writes Jan Fischer.
Pharma boss: Targeting drugs won’t make healthcare systems more sustainable
“Salami-slicing” the cost of medicines, which represent almost one-fifth of health system budgets and are subject to rigorous value assessments, won’t make healthcare systems more sustainable in the future, Nathalie Moll told EURACTIV.com in an interview.
Drugs firms call for phased transition of regulation after Brexit
Pharmaceutical companies called on Thursday (27 April) for a phased transition in drug regulation after Britain leaves the European Union, in order to avoid supply disruption and protect public health.