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EMA Wants More Staff For Continuing Pandemic Workload

Agency Expects 11 COVID-19-Related Product Applications This Year

 
• By Ian Schofield

The more products the European Medicines Agency approves, the more post-authorization applications it receives, leading to an ever-growing spiral in its workload. This, together with the increase in COVID-19-related tasks, new responsibilities in clinical trials and other areas, and a decline in staff numbers over the years, is posing some real resource issues at the agency.

Corona Virus symbol on blue yellow european union EU flag europe background. Cornavirus COVID-19 global outbreak pandemic epidemic medical concept.
The EMA is under continuing pressure from COVID-19 • Source: Alamy

The European Medicines Agency has again called for more resources to help it deal with the ongoing impact of COVID-19 as well as the general increase in its workload. It has specifically asked to retain 40 temporary staff posts that were created to help deal with pandemic-related activities during 2021-22 but that are scheduled to disappear in 2023.

Despite the “exceptional circumstances” it has faced over recent years, the EMA says it has managed to adapt to a...

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