Minutes of the meeting with EFPIA, Medicine of Europe and Business Europe 05 March 2021
Participants: Commissioner Kyriakides, Giorgos Rossides, Daphné Von Buxhoeveden, Roberto Reig
Rodrigo (CAB Kyriakides),
(DG SANTE-B4),
,
,
(EFPIA),
(Medicines for Europe),
(BusinessEurope)
Commissioner Kyriakides explained the epidemiological situation, the increases of COVID-19 cases
across the EU and the concern with the new variant.
EFPIA, MfE and Business Europe raised concern in relation to the export authorisation scheme. EFPIA
acknowledged the importance of transparency but considered that this particular measure impacts
the supply chain and undermines the cooperation with international partners. This increases the risk
of retaliation with the US and China as it is perceived as an export ban. Moreover, they referred to
hick-up in handling the requests. They referred to an incident occurring with an export authorisation
in Germany. The associations called for reducing the scope of the Regulation to exempt samples and
small quantities and the duration of the measure.
Commissioner clarified that we have not banned any export apart from one case associations are
aware of, where we followed the opinion of the national authority. This concerned one particular
company with which we have particular challenges on the performance of our agreement.
Commissioner called on industry to ensure that the production capacity is in place and can
guarantee delivery of vaccines to EU citizens according to our agreements.
Commissioner confirmed that we are committed to implement a smooth procedure and the
measure is temporary. As far as samples are concerned, EC confirmed that they are covered and the
customs cannot check if the shipments are for analytical tests, clinical trials or commercial use. We
want to avoid applicants to circumvent the rules by sending small shipments to third countries.