Peter O'Donnell, ACT's Brussels Correspondent

As the EMA gives Moderna's COVID vaccine the thumbs up, the European Commission has quickly followed up with its own approval.

Despite all the hopes and wishes for a better new year, the start to 2021 in Europe is proving to be grimly similar to the end of 2020.

The EU has its first COVID vaccine authorized.

Europe's leaders find themselves in a strange situation as their defense of their systematic approach to drug registration via the EMA has come under fire not only externally, but from some of their own politicians as well.

As the UK's Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency gave approval to the Pfizer/BioNTech COVID vaccine—questions about how they had been so quick, or why the EU had been so slow, have risen.

European health ministers are meeting later this week to review what has been, and what can be, done to strengthen future defenses to counter the COVID pandemic.

While the UK's departure from the EU is imminent, NICE will continue to influence thinking around the continent.

COVID-19 pandemic shifts traditional process for medicine development in Europe.

Dilemmas are multiple and stakes are high as the framework for thinking about medicines development frequently fluctuates because of the COVID-19 pandemic, making it harder to foresee all implications for the future.

As the EU moves towards the next stage in its review of intellectual property incentives for pharmaceuticals, some unusually direct exchanges occurred between those who advocate patents—and those who oppose them.

Declarations made by Beate Wieseler don't align with those of many regulators and HTA bodies in Europe and will prove tough to transform.

Though members of the industry have made reassuring comments about progress with candidate COVID vaccines, they acknowledge it could be next year, at best, before any real response would be available.

Europe's research ministers are will meet to attempt to reach agreement on European Union research plans for the next seven years, including a cluster devoted to a broad range of health goals that range from general objectives to subjects of more specific interest to the community.

Though members of the industry have made reassuring comments about progress with candidate COVID vaccines, they acknowledge it could be next year, at best, before any real response would be available.

The European Commission has concluded exploratory talks, with Moderna, over the purchase of a fifth potential vaccine against COVID-19.

Europe is aiming to improve its medium-term planning for citizens' health with an agenda that aims to "enable and leverage research and innovation in regulatory science."

The European Commission has concluded exploratory talks, with Moderna, over the purchase of a fifth potential vaccine against COVID-19.

Europe is aiming to improve its medium-term planning for citizens' health with an agenda that aims to "enable and leverage research and innovation in regulatory science."

EMA has launched a "communication perception survey" looking for honest views from among the widest audience on how well it is doing.

Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the EU is allowing trials to start before the requirements of directives dating back as far as 2001 have been met.

The search for a coronavirus vaccine is just one of many questions unanswered on European health policy.

Since the COVID-19 pandemic has created an unprecedented public health emergency and claimed the life of thousands, the EU's plan is to permit trials to start before the requirements of directives dating, back as far as 2001, have been met.

The international pharmaceutical industry is addressing a familiar criticism of avoiding drug development in unprofitable conditions with a $1 billion partnership that aims to bring four new antibiotics to patients by 2030.

While the European Union has had a crucial role in the development of a COVID-19 vaccine, critics are suggesting the largest beneficiaries will be drug firms, leaving people in poorer countries out of the loop,

The just-released EU4Health program will aim to deliver support to trials to address unmet medical needs as coronavirus and medicine shortages swirl around Europe.

With the expectation of a new ‘pharmaceutical strategy for Europe’ in the fall, the management and design of clinical trials feature prominently among the issues the strategy is expected to cover.

Countries around the world have pledged billions toward COVID-19 research, but what will happen when it comes time for them to actually put up the money?

With the push for the earliest possible release of clinical study reports for COVID-19 treatments, European regulators and reimbursement agencies might experience a heightened vulnerability, as public expectation about coronavirus cures rises.

With the push for the earliest possible release of clinical study reports for authorized treatments and vaccines for COVID-19, regulators and reimbursement agencies might experience a heightened vulnerability, as public expectation about coronavirus cures rises.

A panel of European experts reflect on the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak on clinical trials, now and in the future.