Coronavirus Notebook: UK Pledges To Donate Surplus Vaccines, UN Chief Wants Global Vaccination Plan

Janssen-Cilag has asked for a WHO Emergency Use Listing for its vaccine candidate, while azelastine and carrageenan are both showing promise as potential treatments for COVID-19.

human hand holding the global world for blood dna of covid-19 structure
Tackling COVID-19 requires a global response • Source: Shutterstock

This week has seen a flurry of declarations of support for efforts to ensure the equitable distribution of COVID-19 vaccines amid concern that lower and middle-income countries are being pushed to the back of the queue when it comes to vaccine supply.

More from Europe

Landmark Pilot Paves Way for Faster Drug Approvals In Africa

 

In a historic move for Africa, five products have been backed for approval via a pilot that tested a continental listing process.

England’s NICE Wants Industry Involvement In HTA Sandbox Projects

 

Pharmaceutical companies are being encouraged to reach out to NICE in relation to its HTA Innovation Lab, which provides a sandbox environment in which the health technology assessment body can test new methods of evaluating “innovative and disruptive” therapies.

Mysimba Passes EU Safety Probe, But Currax Must Explore Long-Term Heart Risks

 

The weight management drug, Mysimba, continues to demonstrate a positive benefit-risk balance but the data available are not sufficient to fully determine the cardiovascular safety beyond 12 months. Meanwhile, Currax this month announced the publication of a peer-reviewed study of Mysimba that followed patients for over 4.7 years and found no evidence of excess cardiovascular risk.

England’s NICE To ‘Explore’ Severity Modifier Changes As Cost-Effectiveness Threshold Branded ‘Ridiculous’

 

Health technology assessment body NICE said it has taken on feedback about the implications of allowing higher cost-effectiveness thresholds for some medicines after senior health economists offered diverging views on its methods.

More from Geography

Landmark Pilot Paves Way for Faster Drug Approvals In Africa

 

In a historic move for Africa, five products have been backed for approval via a pilot that tested a continental listing process.

Brazilian Drug Price Increase Rates Hit Eight-Year Low

 

CMED, which sets medicine prices in Brazil, has published the maximum price adjustment index for 2025.

Japan Pushes Generic Industry Reforms Via New Govt Fund

 
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Amid ongoing generic drug supply problems, Japan's government is to set up a new fund to support corporate investments geared towards manufacturing and consolidation.