Information on the development of SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus vaccines from third countries (China, Russia)
The Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) is the competent evaluation committee of the European Medicines Agency (Coreper), which, through the centralized procedure, advises on the authorization of medicinal products for human use in the EU Member States, including the COVID-19 vaccine.
The CHMP has evaluated clinical and non-clinical data on 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 thorough evaluation by the CHMP assures EU citizens that COVID-19 vaccines meet EU standards and enforces safeguards, controls and obligations to support vaccination campaigns across the EU.
In this context, the process developed by the European Commission for the joint procurement of vaccines for all countries helps small countries, such as Cyprus, with limited bargaining power, which have difficulty accessing innovative medicines. Cyprus has participated from the beginning with a representative in the Technical Committee (Steering Committee) for the joint negotiation and supply of vaccines, which allowed it to have vaccines against the disease at the same time as the other Member States.
This process ensures the principle of solidarity that characterizes the European Union, but also the principle of equality, since all countries are treated in the same way and have equal access to the vaccine, at the same cost, without favoring countries with stronger bargaining power. power.
With regard to COVID-19 vaccines that may be developed and used in third countries, such as China and Russia, and for which the European Medicines Agency has not yet been consulted, there has been no scientifically sufficient and transparent data to document their quality, safety and effectiveness.
Therefore, at this stage, the Pharmaceutical Services of the Ministry of Health can not make any recommendations or suggestions for these products, as their quality, safety and effectiveness have not been documented.
The Pharmaceutical Services as well as the other competent Departments of the Ministry of Health follow from the beginning the developments around the development of vaccines for the treatment of COVID-19, participate in the relevant evaluation procedures of the European Medicines Agency and are aware of all new data and instructions issued. The Ministry of Health remains vigilant about the development of new vaccines and is ready to adjust its planning according to developments.
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