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[WATCH] COVID-19: MEPs and pharma CEOs discuss ways to increase vaccine rollout
CEOs and representatives of pharmaceutical companies AstraZeneca, Moderna, CureVac, Novavax, Pfizer and Sanofi, were challenged by MEPs to remove barriers to faster manufacture and distribution of vaccines
AstraZeneca's CEO Pascal Soriot at the end of the hearing
The European Parliament has urged drug companies producing COVID-19 vaccines to honour their contacts and to provide a clear timetable for vaccine deliveries.
In a meeting on Thursday, CEOs and representatives of pharmaceutical companies including AstraZeneca, Moderna, CureVac, Novavax, Pfizer and Sanofi, were challenged by MEPs to remove barriers to faster marketing, manufacture and distribution of vaccines.
During the discussion, MEPs asked about global technology transfers, patent sharing and how the industry intends to update vaccines to keep up with emerging variants. They also explained to CEOs how the European Medicines Agency could speed up market approval at European level.
Some MEPs have questioned whether an EU vaccine export ban would help Europe compared to other countries that have introduced export bans. In their remarks, industry representatives highlighted the challenge of building production capacity for entirely new and complex products, and the international nature of supply chains.
Pascal Canfin (Renew Europe, FR), chairman of the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety Committee said the meeting was a world first.
“The CEOs of the main vaccine manufacturers appeared in front of elected officials. It's good for transparency and it's good for democracy. It is essential to regularly check the responsibility and the commitments made,” he said. “In addition, the race to produce vaccines is intensifying and we are preparing to use all available tools to support it. That was the purpose of this hearing”.
Cristian Bușoi (PPE, RO), chairman of the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy said challenge today was how to manufacture extremely complex products on an absolutely unprecedented scale.
“This hearing was an exercise in democratic accountability. We wanted to know where the production bottlenecks lie and to have a clear picture of the industry's commitments and obligations,” he said. “But we also want to help the industry to deliver the doses, because our priority is to be vaccinated.”
This article is part of a content series called Ewropej. This is a multi-newsroom initiative part-funded by the European Parliament to bring the work of the EP closer to the citizens of Malta and keep them informed about matters that affect their daily lives. This article reflects only the author’s view. The action was co-financed by the European Union in the frame of the European Parliament's grant programme in the field of communication. The European Parliament was not involved in its preparation and is, in no case, responsible for or bound by the information or opinions expressed in the context of this action. In accordance with applicable law, the authors, interviewed people, publishers or programme broadcasters are solely responsible. The European Parliament can also not be held liable for direct or indirect damage that may result from the implementation of the action.
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