The DIA Europe 2020 conference heard from regulators and health technology assessment bodies about the problems that can arise over poorly defined patient populations and a lack of comparator data when making reimbursement decisions.

Participants at a workshop on the EU’s proposed Pharmaceutical Strategy discussed affordability and drug shortages and called for more urgency on the draft HTA regulation.

Medical device and pharmaceutical companies in the UK have again been asked to ensure they have contingency measures in place to deal with potential supply problems at channel ports – this time in preparation for the UK’s formal departure from EU’s single market and customs union at the beginning of 2021.

Pharmaceutical companies in the UK have again been asked to ensure they have contingency measures in place to deal with potential supply problems at channel ports – this time in preparation for the UK’s formal departure from the EU’s single market and customs union at the beginning of 2021. The industry is continuing to push for a mutual recognition agreement on drug regulation.

The UK BioIndustry Association has welcomed the government’s fresh investment in COVID-19 vaccine manufacturing capacity, while Sanofi and GSK are striking European and US deals for their vaccine candidate. A number of potential therapies are also being developed, including products based on interferon and hyperimmune globulin, but Roche/Chugai’s Actemra (tocilizumab) looks like a non-runner.

A parliamentary committee has come up with some ideas for strengthening the UK’s response to future demand surges due to the spread of COVID-19.