It is confirmed that the British pharmaceutical firm AstraZeneca withdrew from negotiations with the European Union, where the company was being grilled over delays in producing the vaccine. An EU official, who wishes to stay anonymous, cited the Associated Press as saying that AstraZeneca had pulled out of the conference. The official said that the bloc will demand that AstraZeneca return to the talks after the European Medicines Agency (EMA) has authorised the company’s vaccine, which is likely to happen by the end of this month.
There is a secrecy clause in the deal between the EU and AstraZeneca, but the EU has asked the firm to reveal the information. Last week the reports said the EU would collect 60% less vaccine dosages in January-March 2021 than promised.
EU states that AstraZeneca distributes its supplies to the UK and other countries, but the firm says that the delay has arisen as a result of start-up difficulties at Europe’s manufacturing plants.
Meanwhile, if it fails to supply promised doses on schedule, Italy has vowed to take legal action against AstraZeneca, claiming delays will harm the country’s vaccine policy and the lives of vulnerable citizens.
Health Commissioner Stella Kyriakides tweeted that the EU regretted the “continued lack of clarity on the delivery schedule”.
We regret the continued lack of clarity on the delivery schedule and request a clear plan from AstraZeneca for the fast delivery of the quantity of vaccines that we reserved for Q1. We will work with the company to find solutions and deliver vaccines rapidly for EU citizens.
— Stella Kyriakides (@SKyriakidesEU) January 27, 2021
“We will work with the company to find solutions and deliver vaccines rapidly for EU citizens,” she said.
“We will work with the company to find solutions and deliver vaccines rapidly for EU citizens,” she said after AstraZeneca Chief Executive Officer Pascal Soriot addressed a vaccine body composed of 27-member EU representatives.”
The EU Advance Procurement Agreement with AstraZeneca allows for the supply of at least 300 million doses, provided that the vaccine is approved as safe and reliable, with doses supplied in stages. The European Medicines Agency (EMA) is scheduled to approve it on Friday.