About: medicines
No checks on medicines from Britain to NI, under Commission proposals
The European Union has moved to ensure that medicines will continue to be available in Northern Ireland at the same time as in the rest of the UK, under new proposals published on Friday (17 December).
EU to propose easing medicines flow from Britain to Northern Ireland
The European Commission is due to set out on Friday (17 December) legal changes to ease the transport of medicines from Britain to Northern Ireland, a move that could relieve EU-UK tensions over the British province's future after Brexit.
EU moves closer to guaranteeing NI medicine supplies
The EU is ready to table new legislation to guarantee the continued supply of medicines to Northern Ireland, after the latest round of talks between the UK and EU brought ‘progress’ but no agreement, according to negotiators.
Slovenian presidency reaches agreement on expanded EMA mandate
The Slovenian presidency of the EU Council and negotiators of the European Parliament have reached a temporary agreement on an enhanced role of the European Medicines Agency (EMA) in preparedness for crises.
UK urges medicine suppliers to stockpile before Brexit transition ends
The British government has urged medicine suppliers to prepare for the country's exit from the EU single market and customs union on 31 December by building up six weeks' worth of stocks in case of disruption to imports.
Commission aims to bring back medicine production to Europe
The EU needs to focus on ways to bring the production of medicines and pharmaceutical ingredients back to Europe to avoid a future recurrence of shortages experienced during the COVID-19 crisis, the EU health boss Stella Kyriakides told MEPs on Tuesday (22 April).
Panic buying, trade curbs cause shortages of coronavirus drugs in EU
Hospitals in the European Union are facing shortages of critical drugs to treat COVID-19 patients because of trade restrictions and excessive stockpiling by EU governments, EU and industry officials said on Monday (6 April).
Katainen: Same level of priority for food and medicine in no-deal Brexit
Medicine supplies and food safety standards are both vital and the EU cannot prioritise one over the other in the event of a no-deal Brexit, Vice President of the Commission Jyrki Katainen said on Thursday (4 April).
Flurry of agreements to cushion blow of no-deal Brexit
As Britain tries to steer away from a dreaded "no-deal" divorce with the EU, a flurry of agreements are being hammered out to cushion the most painful blows.
Heavy workload delays EU report on environmental impact of drugs
The European Commission’s much-awaited communication on the environmental impact of pharmaceuticals is at an “advanced stage” but might not be adopted in the near future because of other legislative initiatives on the agenda, an EU official has told EURACTIV.com.
Athens brings its dispute with pharma industry to the EU Council
The next EU Health Council on 8 December will discuss the “lack of drug availability in Greece”, amid mounting tensions between the leftist government in Athens and the pharmaceutical companies.
Pharmaceutical company gives free access to drug after clash with Greek government
Following a clash with the Greek government over its decision to withdraw a cancer drug from the market, ROCHE, a Swiss multinational company, ultimately decided to make the drug available to patients for free.
Pharmaceutical company withdraws oncology drug from Greek market
A multinational pharmaceutical company has decided to withdraw an innovative oncology medicine from the Greek market, claiming that its price has fallen more than 50% because of the government’s regulatory interventions in the pharma area, EURACTIV.com has learnt.
Andriukaitis: Supporting drug innovation is ‘the only way’
Backing innovation in the pharmaceutical market and developing new evidence-based economic models is the only way forward for future healthcare, according to EU Commissioner for Health and Food Safety Vytenis Andriukaitis.
EU drug agency announces ‘business continuity’ plan amid relocation uncertainty
The European Medicines Agency (EMA) presented on Tuesday (1 August) a business continuity plan aimed at tackling the potential challenges poised by its relocation from London to another member state after the Brexit decision.
Athens and Milan throw names into EU medicines agency hat
Hosting the European Medicines Agency brings considerable economic benefits to the host city as the service employs more than 1,000 people, paid by the EU. Athens and Milan are keen to secure a slice of this lucrative pie.
Commission opens first investigation into excessive drug pricing
The European Commission announced yesterday (15 May) that it opened a formal investigation into Aspen Pharma's pricing practices for cancer drugs.
Southern EU states present unified front in drug talks
Six southern member states have signed a common declaration, aiming to enhance their cooperation and jointly negotiate with the pharmaceutical industry on drug pricing.
NGOs urge rapid relocation of EU drug agency
Patient organisations warned the European Council yesterday (12 April) to be “vigilant” in the relocation of the European Medicines Agency (EMA), as well as avoid unnecessary delays that may cause disruptions in healthcare.
London wants to protect free movement of talent after Brexit
Controls on EU immigration played a key role in the Brexit vote. However, the UK government now says that it wants to protect the free movement of researchers and talent, which are crucial for the life sciences sector. EURACTIV.com reports from Lyon.
EU Parliament demands clarity in public funding of drugs R+D
A European Parliament resolution adopted yesterday (2 March) called for transparency and clarity of public funding on research and development of new drugs, claiming that in such cases public investment should be reflected in the price of drugs.
Lawmakers warn EU pharma industry about drug pricing
Pressure is mounting on pharmaceutical companies to reconsider the way they do business by refocusing their efforts on meeting patient needs and health outcomes rather than their own profits.
OECD criticises ‘ineffective spending’ in healthcare
Health spending in countries that belong to the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) is "at best ineffective and at worst wasteful", a new report has found.