Filenews 24 March 2021
Some 29 million doses of AstraZeneca vaccines, some of which were destined for the UK, were found hidden in the Anglo-Swedish company's premises in Rome, Italy.
This huge quantity, which corresponds to all vaccines delivered so far by the pharmaceutical company to the European Union, was discovered following an inspection by the Italian authorities at the behest of Internal Market Commissioner Thierry Breton, who wanted to ascertain exactly what AstraZeneca produces within European territory.
While the Anglo-Swedish company has been unable to meet its commitments on the number of doses of covid-19 vaccine it would deliver to the EU, Brussels is understandably wondering the destination of this huge stockpile.
According to the Italian newspaper La Stampa, some of these doses were prepared by AstraZeneca's subcontractor in the Netherlands. It is possible that some of these tranches are actually destined for the EU, and are only waiting for final tests, but Brussels also suspects that much of them are destined for export.
The UK has announced that it is relying on AstraZeneca vaccines produced in the EU to continue its vaccination campaign.
Last month, Italy banned 250,000 doses found at the company's exact same facilities destined for Australia. Since then, AstraZeneca has not submitted another export request.
Source: protothema.gr
