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Cross-party support for German Presidency priorities

In the European Parliament, the Members voted a resolution concerning the future of European health policy. Amongst others, an important point here is the strengthening of pharmaceutical production in Europe. In a controversial vote, MEPs also adopted an amendment of the EPP on the importance of intellectual property. "Greens and Social Democrats had initially opposed the wording. I am glad that it was adopted, because we need incentives for research and innovation especially in the current situation. Companies that are not prepared to share their knowledge and produce vaccines or medicines will have to expect compulsory licences. However, this should not fundamentally call into question the need for patents. Without patents, we will not get the breakthrough we need. Neither for treatments and vaccines for Covid-19, nor for other serious health problems”, said Dr Peter Liese, MEP and health spokesperson of the largest political group in the European Parliament (EPP, Christian Democrats).

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Ensuring patient treatment in Europe and worldwide / Cooperation and dialogue - but also Plan B if necessary


"The first drug for the treatment of Covid-19 is officially approved in Europe as of today. The European Commission granted conditional marketing authorization for Remdesivir for the European market." This was pointed out by MEP Peter Liese, health spokesman of the largest group in the European Parliament (EPP-Christian Democrats). Conditional marketing authorisation means that the experts believe that the drug is probably effective and has a low level of side effects, but that it is necessary to continue to examine carefully during treatment whether this assumption is correct. In order to better prove the efficacy and safety of Remdesivir, the company must submit the final reports of the Remdesivir trials to the European Medicines Agency (EMA) by December of this year. The data on Remdesivir have been evaluated in an exceptionally short period of time through a so-called rolling review, an approach that the EMA uses in public health emergencies to evaluate the data as soon as they become available. "The crisis mechanisms for a fast yet safe conditional approval of medicines in extraordinary crises like this one are a very important tool. Research so far has shown that Remdesivir can reduce the course of the disease, perhaps even reduce the death rate, and that the side effects are acceptable," said the doctor and MEP.

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We support the priorities of the German Council Presidency, but also want to outline long-term visions for better cooperation

The European Parliament calls for much greater cooperation between member states on health issues. The largest political groups in the European Parliament agreed on a resolution on this matter, which is to be adopted on Friday. "The Corona pandemic has shown that we need to cooperate much more. Just like the corona virus, many other health threats respect no borders, which is why politicians must act more jointly across borders," says Dr Peter Liese, health spokesperson for the largest political group in the European Parliament (EPP/Christian Democrats). A large majority of MEPs support the four priorities set by the German Presidency, which were outlined by the German Health Minister Jens Spahn in a video conference with MEPs on Monday.

First, better cooperation in combating epidemics, amongst others by strengthening the European Centre for Disease Control (ECDC).

Second, greater cooperation in the development of vaccines and medicines, and a strengthening of the long-term infrastructure along the US-American’s model of BARDA.

Third, strengthening cooperation in the field of e-health and improving the compatibility of the corresponding national systems.

Fourth, concrete measures to prevent shortages of medicines and other important products such as masks.

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Procedure for accelerated and conditional approval has proved successful / First important step / Commission should grant approval at short notice


"The European Medicines Agency on Thursday has recommended granting a conditional marketing authorisation for the treatment of Covid-19 with Remdesivir. This is an important step towards the treatment of corona patients in Europe and the first time a drug against the corona virus will be available". This was said by MEP Peter Liese, spokesperson of health of the biggest group in the European Parliament (EPP, Christian Democrats).

Conditional marketing authorisation means that the experts believe that the drug is probably effective and has low side effects, but that it is still necessary to investigate carefully during treatment whether this assumption is correct. In order to better prove the efficacy and safety of Remdesivir, the company must submit the final reports of the Remdesivir trials to the EMA by December of this year.

Peter Liese demands further investigations, in particular to find the optimal time and the optimal dosage form for Remdesivr. "According to many experts, it is important that Remdesivir is given at a relatively early stage of the disease, when the spread of the virus still plays a relatively large role. In the final stage, other drugs such as Dexamethasone work better because it is not the virus that determines the course of the disease, but a kind of autoimmune reaction. It is therefore important to find the right time and perhaps a form of administration via the respiratory tract is more effective than the previous form of administration”, Liese said.

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