Filenews 7 January 2021
The Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) is the competent Evaluation Committee of the European Medicines Agency (EMA), which through the centralised procedure gives an opinion on the authorisation in EU Member States of medicinal products for human use, including COVID-19 vaccines.
According to the Ministry of Health's announcement, CHMP has evaluated clinical and non-clinical data for vaccines developed and/or developed against COVID-19 by various companies and has accelerated their evaluation and licensing procedures. Two SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus vaccines have already been licensed (one on 21/12/2020 and one on 06/01/2021), and vaccine purchase contracts have been signed by companies in the final stages of vaccine development.
The CHMP's in-depth assessment ensures EU citizens that COVID-19 vaccines meet EU standards and implements safeguards, controls and obligations to support vaccination campaigns across the EU.
In this context, the process developed by the European Commission for a common supply of vaccines for all countries helps small states, such as Cyprus, with limited bargaining power, who face difficulties in accessing innovative medicines. Cyprus has been involved from the outset with a representative of the Steering Committee for the joint negotiation and procurement of vaccines, which has enabled it to have vaccines against the disease at the same time as the other Member States.
This process ensures the principle of solidarity that characterises the European Union, but also the principle of equality, since all States are treated in the same way and have equal access to the vaccine, at the same cost, without favouring countries with stronger negotiating power.
With regard to COVID-19 vaccines which may be developed and used in third countries, such as China and Russia, and for which the European Medicines Agency has not so far delivered an opinion, it has not been shown that there is sufficient and transparent scientific data to substantiate their quality, safety and effectiveness.
Therefore, at this stage, the Pharmaceutical Services of the Ministry of Health cannot make any recommendations or suggestions for these products, as their quality, safety and effectiveness has not been established.
The Pharmaceutical Services and the other competent Departments of the Ministry of Health have been monitoring from the outset developments around the development of vaccines for the treatment of COVID-19, participating in the relevant evaluation procedures of the European Medicines Agency and are up to information on all new data and directives issued. The Ministry of Health remains vigilant about the development of new vaccines and is ready to adjust its programming in line with developments.
Source: eyenews
