Rabu, 01 Juli 2020

Brussels in talks to secure doses of remdesivir for EU - Financial Times

The European Commission is in talks with Gilead Sciences, the US pharmaceuticals business, to reserve doses of the drug remdesivir to combat coronavirus after Washington announced that it had bought up much of the global supply.

Stella Kyriakides, health commissioner for the 27-country EU, has held a series of negotiations with the company, including over its production capacity, Brussels said.

“Commissioner Kyriakides has been in multiple discussions with the manufacturer, Gilead, including on their production capacity,” the commission said.

“The commission is also currently in negotiations with Gilead to reserve doses of remdesivir for EU member states.”

Remdesivir, an antiviral, was once considered as a potential Ebola medicine. It is the only branded drug to receive emergency-use approval from US regulators for treating Covid-19.

Clinical trials of the drug, which is given intravenously, have found it reduces the length of hospital stays for coronavirus patients by a margin of about four days but that there was no significant impact on mortality or viral loads in the bloodstream.

The commission said it had “taken note” of the announcement of the US decisions to secure supplies of remdesivir. It said it had also speeded up the process to grant marketing authorisation for the drug, as part of a commitment to ensure “scientifically proven effective treatments for Covid-19 are available to EU citizens”.

The commission’s move comes as it prepares to invest billions of euros to secure supplies of any potential coronavirus vaccine for EU countries as the US and other rich states do the same. The rush for vaccines and treatments has stoked questions over whether poorer nations will be squeezed out, although the EU has insisted it will make provision for them.

The US Department of Health and Human Services this week said it had secured supplies of 500,000 treatment courses of remdesivir from Gilead, amounting to 100 per cent of production in July and 90 per cent for August and September.

The US is currently experiencing a powerful second wave of Covid-19 contagion, with hospitals under intense pressure.

Gilead did not respond to requests for comment. It has previously said it has struck deals with low-cost generic drugs manufacturers to expand access to remdesivir to 127 countries. Higher-income nations, including in the EU, are not among these.

The company disclosed this week that it would price remdesivir at $2,340 per course, drawing criticism from activists and access advocates. They say taxpayer money used to develop the drug is a reason to price it lower, but Gilead argues the cost is offset by the money saved by healthcare providers because hospital stays are shorter.

The UK has secured sufficient supplies of remdesivir, according to health officials. Last month, Oxford university researchers found that dexamethasone, a cheap off-patent steroid administered orally, significantly cut death rates in Covid-19 patients requiring ventilation — invasive or otherwise. At least 200,000 doses of it are in the British national stockpile, London has said.

Additional reporting by Laura Hughes in London

 

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2020-07-02 00:02:08Z
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Brussels in talks to secure doses of remdesivir for EU - Financial Times

The European Commission is in talks with Gilead Sciences, the US pharmaceuticals business, to reserve doses of the drug remdesivir to combat coronavirus after Washington announced that it had bought up much of the global supply.

Stella Kyriakides, health commissioner for the 27-country EU, has held a series of negotiations with the company, including over its production capacity, Brussels said.

“Commissioner Kyriakides has been in multiple discussions with the manufacturer, Gilead, including on their production capacity,” the commission said.

“The commission is also currently in negotiations with Gilead to reserve doses of remdesivir for EU member states.”

Remdesivir, an antiviral, was once considered as a potential Ebola medicine. It is the only branded drug to receive emergency-use approval from US regulators for treating Covid-19.

Clinical trials of the drug, which is given intravenously, have found it reduces the length of hospital stays for coronavirus patients by a margin of about four days but that there was no significant impact on mortality or viral loads in the bloodstream.

The commission said it had “taken note” of the announcement of the US decisions to secure supplies of remdesivir. It said it had also speeded up the process to grant marketing authorisation for the drug, as part of a commitment to ensure “scientifically proven effective treatments for Covid-19 are available to EU citizens”.

The commission’s move comes as it prepares to invest billions of euros to secure supplies of any potential coronavirus vaccine for EU countries as the US and other rich states do the same. The rush for vaccines and treatments has stoked questions over whether poorer nations will be squeezed out, although the EU has insisted it will make provision for them.

The US Department of Health and Human Services this week said it had secured supplies of 500,000 treatment courses of remdesivir from Gilead, amounting to 100 per cent of production in July and 90 per cent for August and September.

The US is currently experiencing a powerful second wave of Covid-19 contagion, with hospitals under intense pressure.

Gilead did not respond to requests for comment. It has previously said it has struck deals with low-cost generic drugs manufacturers to expand access to remdesivir to 127 countries. Higher-income nations, including in the EU, are not among these.

The company disclosed this week that it would price remdesivir at $2,340 per course, drawing criticism from activists and access advocates. They say taxpayer money used to develop the drug is a reason to price it lower, but Gilead argues the cost is offset by the money saved by healthcare providers because hospital stays are shorter.

The UK has secured sufficient supplies of remdesivir, according to health officials. Last month, Oxford university researchers found that dexamethasone, a cheap off-patent steroid administered orally, significantly cut death rates in Covid-19 patients requiring ventilation — invasive or otherwise. At least 200,000 doses of it are in the British national stockpile, London has said.

Additional reporting by Laura Hughes in London

 

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2020-07-01 23:07:28Z
CAIiEO9LZLiyQR1jbmqXuOxBq00qGAgEKg8IACoHCAow-4fWBzD4z0gw_fCpBg

Brussels in talks to secure doses of remdesivir for EU - Financial Times

The European Commission is in talks with Gilead Sciences, the US pharmaceuticals business, to reserve doses of the drug remdesivir to combat coronavirus after Washington announced that it had bought up much of the global supply.

Stella Kyriakides, health commissioner for the 27-country EU, has held a series of negotiations with the company, including over its production capacity, Brussels said.

“Commissioner Kyriakides has been in multiple discussions with the manufacturer, Gilead, including on their production capacity,” the commission said.

“The commission is also currently in negotiations with Gilead to reserve doses of remdesivir for EU member states.”

Remdesivir, an antiviral, was once considered as a potential Ebola medicine. It is the only branded drug to receive emergency-use approval from US regulators for treating Covid-19.

Clinical trials of the drug, which is given intravenously, have found it reduces the length of hospital stays for coronavirus patients by a margin of about four days but that there was no significant impact on mortality or viral loads in the bloodstream.

The commission said it had “taken note” of the announcement of the US decisions to secure supplies of remdesivir. It said it had also speeded up the process to grant marketing authorisation for the drug, as part of a commitment to ensure “scientifically proven effective treatments for Covid-19 are available to EU citizens”.

The commission’s move comes as it prepares to invest billions of euros to secure supplies of any potential coronavirus vaccine for EU countries as the US and other rich states do the same. The rush for vaccines and treatments has stoked questions over whether poorer nations will be squeezed out, although the EU has insisted it will make provision for them.

The US Department of Health and Human Services this week said it had secured supplies of 500,000 treatment courses of remdesivir from Gilead, amounting to 100 per cent of production in July and 90 per cent for August and September.

The US is currently experiencing a powerful second wave of Covid-19 contagion, with hospitals under intense pressure.

Gilead did not respond to requests for comment. It has previously said it has struck deals with low-cost generic drugs manufacturers to expand access to remdesivir to 127 countries. Higher-income nations, including in the EU, are not among these.

The company disclosed this week that it would price remdesivir at $2,340 per course, drawing criticism from activists and access advocates. They say taxpayer money used to develop the drug is a reason to price it lower, but Gilead argues the cost is offset by the money saved by healthcare providers because hospital stays are shorter.

The UK has secured sufficient supplies of remdesivir, according to health officials. Last month, Oxford university researchers found that dexamethasone, a cheap off-patent steroid administered orally, significantly cut death rates in Covid-19 patients requiring ventilation — invasive or otherwise. At least 200,000 doses of it are in the British national stockpile, London has said.

Additional reporting by Laura Hughes in London

 

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2020-07-01 22:28:21Z
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Brussels in talks to secure doses of remdesivir for EU - Financial Times

The European Commission is in talks with Gilead Sciences, the US pharmaceuticals business, to reserve doses of the drug remdesivir to combat coronavirus after Washington announced that it had bought up much of the global supply.

Stella Kyriakides, health commissioner for the 27-country EU, has held a series of negotiations with the company, including over its production capacity, Brussels said.

“Commissioner Kyriakides has been in multiple discussions with the manufacturer, Gilead, including on their production capacity,” the commission said.

“The commission is also currently in negotiations with Gilead to reserve doses of remdesivir for EU member states.”

Remdesivir, an antiviral, was once considered as a potential Ebola medicine. It is the only branded drug to receive emergency-use approval from US regulators for treating Covid-19.

Clinical trials of the drug, which is given intravenously, have found it reduces the length of hospital stays for coronavirus patients by a margin of about four days but that there was no significant impact on mortality or viral loads in the bloodstream.

The commission said it had “taken note” of the announcement of the US decisions to secure supplies of remdesivir. It said it had also speeded up the process to grant marketing authorisation for the drug, as part of a commitment to ensure “scientifically proven effective treatments for Covid-19 are available to EU citizens”.

The commission’s move comes as it prepares to invest billions of euros to secure supplies of any potential coronavirus vaccine for EU countries as the US and other rich states do the same. The rush for vaccines and treatments has stoked questions over whether poorer nations will be squeezed out, although the EU has insisted it will make provision for them.

The US Department of Health and Human Services this week said it had secured supplies of 500,000 treatment courses of remdesivir from Gilead, amounting to 100 per cent of production in July and 90 per cent for August and September.

The US is currently experiencing a powerful second wave of Covid-19 contagion, with hospitals under intense pressure.

Gilead did not respond to requests for comment. It has previously said it has struck deals with low-cost generic drugs manufacturers to expand access to remdesivir to 127 countries. Higher-income nations, including in the EU, are not among these.

The company disclosed this week that it would price remdesivir at $2,340 per course, drawing criticism from activists and access advocates. They say taxpayer money used to develop the drug is a reason to price it lower, but Gilead argues the cost is offset by the money saved by healthcare providers because hospital stays are shorter.

The UK has secured sufficient supplies of remdesivir, according to health officials. Last month, Oxford university researchers found that dexamethasone, a cheap off-patent steroid administered orally, significantly cut death rates in Covid-19 patients requiring ventilation — invasive or otherwise. At least 200,000 doses of it are in the British national stockpile, London has said.

Additional reporting by Laura Hughes in London

 

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2020-07-01 21:54:11Z
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Hong Kong: UK summons Chinese ambassador over 'deep concern' for new security law - Sky News

The Foreign Office has summoned the Chinese ambassador to make clear the UK's "deep concern" over the new Hong Kong national security law.

Liu Xiaoming was called to a meeting with the Foreign Office's permanent under-secretary Sir Simon McDonald on Wednesday, hours after China imposed the legislation on the city.

Sir Simon made clear the UK's "deep concern" over the new law, which was proposed a month ago and came into effect at 11pm in Hong Kong on Monday - without the details being published first.

Lord Patten was the 28th and final governor of Hong Kong under British rule.
China is 'bullying and loutish' - Lord Patten

He reiterated that the law breaches the Sino-British Joint Declaration which was signed in 1984 and gave Hong Kong almost full autonomy for 50 years after Britain handed the territory back to China in 1997.

It is only the second time a Chinese ambassador has been called to the Foreign Office about Hong Kong since 1984.

The new security law drawn up by Beijing makes secessionist, subversive, or "terrorist" activities illegal in Hong Kong - as well as foreign intervention in the city's internal affairs.

Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab offered 2.9 million people in Hong Kong citizenship rights on Wednesday as police in the city started arresting peaceful protesters for carrying leaflets supporting Hong Kong independence on the 23rd anniversary of the handover.

More from Hong Kong

Accusing China of a "grave and deeply disturbing" breach of the joint declaration, Mr Raab said the "bespoke" visa route would let British Nationals Overseas - people who were Hong Kong citizens before 1997 - and their dependents come from Hong Kong to work or study in the UK for five years.

Water cannon being used on protesters in Hong Kong
Water cannon deployed on streets of Hong Kong

They will then be able to apply for settled status and - if successful - can apply for citizenship one year later.

But Victor Gao, who was former Chinese leader Deng Xiaoping's translator, said he "seriously doubts" the British government will follow through on its promise.

He told Sky News: "They didn't do it in 1997 and I don't think they'll do it now.

"If you compare Hong Kong to Britain, lots of people in HK love living there because it's a good place to do business, very low taxes, people won't choose to leave."

He said that anybody who cares for Hong Kong's future would support the new law and claimed lots of Hong Kongers do because they are fed up of the past 12 months of "violence, anarchy and an attack on the rule of law".

Mr Gao insisted the right to protest and demonstrate and the freedom of speech and assembly are "fully protected" under the new law, despite 370 people being arrested on Wednesday - including 10 for "breaching" the new law.

Emily Lau, a former chair of Hong Kong's Democratic Party, said she thinks some people will be "very keen" to take Mr Raab up on his offer, but "certainly not millions" as she hopes other allies such as Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the US will also help.

She told Sky News: "Certainly, I hope there will be an international lifeboat scheme to help the very frightened people of Hong Kong."

Victor Gao says the new security law will help people in Hong Kong enjoy "greater freedom and greater stability."
'New law will be welcomed widely in Hong Kong'

Chris Patten, Hong Kong's last governor under British rule, said the new law was a "complete overturning of One Country, Two Systems" - the principle under which the declaration was formed.

He called the law "Orwellian", said it will damage Hong Kong's economy, and said that the UK and its allies need to stand up to China.

Lord Patten told Sky News: "We should work with them, make clear that when China behaves reasonably that's fine and we'll work with them, when they behave badly we'll call them out, there will be consequences.

"There has to be, otherwise the 21st century will become increasingly unstable, increasingly less prosperous and increasingly dangerous."

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2020-07-01 19:52:30Z
52780880940676

Hong Kong: UK summons Chinese ambassador over 'deep concern' for new security law - Sky News

The Foreign Office has summoned the Chinese ambassador to make clear the UK's "deep concern" over the new Hong Kong national security law.

Liu Xiaoming was called to a meeting with the Foreign Office's permanent under-secretary Sir Simon McDonald on Wednesday, hours after China imposed the legislation on the city.

Sir Simon made clear the UK's "deep concern" over the new law, which was proposed a month ago and came into effect at 11pm in Hong Kong on Monday - without the details being published first.

Lord Patten was the 28th and final governor of Hong Kong under British rule.
China is 'bullying and loutish' - Lord Patten

He reiterated that the law breaches the Sino-British Joint Declaration which was signed in 1984 and gave Hong Kong almost full autonomy for 50 years after Britain handed the territory back to China in 1997.

It is only the second time a Chinese ambassador has been called to the Foreign Office about Hong Kong since 1984.

The new security law drawn up by Beijing makes secessionist, subversive, or "terrorist" activities illegal in Hong Kong - as well as foreign intervention in the city's internal affairs.

Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab offered 2.9 million people in Hong Kong citizenship rights on Wednesday as police in the city started arresting peaceful protesters for carrying leaflets supporting Hong Kong independence on the 23rd anniversary of the handover.

More from Hong Kong

Accusing China of a "grave and deeply disturbing" breach of the joint declaration, Mr Raab said the "bespoke" visa route would let British Nationals Overseas - people who were Hong Kong citizens before 1997 - and their dependents come from Hong Kong to work or study in the UK for five years.

Water cannon being used on protesters in Hong Kong
Water cannon deployed on streets of Hong Kong

They will then be able to apply for settled status and - if successful - can apply for citizenship one year later.

But Victor Gao, who was former Chinese leader Deng Xiaoping's translator, said he "seriously doubts" the British government will follow through on its promise.

He told Sky News: "They didn't do it in 1997 and I don't think they'll do it now.

"If you compare Hong Kong to Britain, lots of people in HK love living there because it's a good place to do business, very low taxes, people won't choose to leave."

He said that anybody who cares for Hong Kong's future would support the new law and claimed lots of Hong Kongers do because they are fed up of the past 12 months of "violence, anarchy and an attack on the rule of law".

Mr Gao insisted the right to protest and demonstrate and the freedom of speech and assembly are "fully protected" under the new law, despite 370 people being arrested on Wednesday - including 10 for "breaching" the new law.

Emily Lau, a former chair of Hong Kong's Democratic Party, said she thinks some people will be "very keen" to take Mr Raab up on his offer, but "certainly not millions" as she hopes other allies such as Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the US will also help.

She told Sky News: "Certainly, I hope there will be an international lifeboat scheme to help the very frightened people of Hong Kong."

Victor Gao says the new security law will help people in Hong Kong enjoy "greater freedom and greater stability."
'New law will be welcomed widely in Hong Kong'

Chris Patten, Hong Kong's last governor under British rule, said the new law was a "complete overturning of One Country, Two Systems" - the principle under which the declaration was formed.

He called the law "Orwellian", said it will damage Hong Kong's economy, and said that the UK and its allies need to stand up to China.

Lord Patten told Sky News: "We should work with them, make clear that when China behaves reasonably that's fine and we'll work with them, when they behave badly we'll call them out, there will be consequences.

"There has to be, otherwise the 21st century will become increasingly unstable, increasingly less prosperous and increasingly dangerous."

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2020-07-01 19:22:59Z
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Merkel warns the EU must prepare for No Deal Brexit after Boris' warning that Britain WILL walk away - Daily Mail

Merkel warns that the EU must prepare for No Deal Brexit after Boris’s vow that Britain WILL walk away at end of year

  • London and Brussels have until the end of 2020 to clinch a new Brexit agreement
  • She made the comments as Germany took over the bloc's rotating presidency
  • This week the EU and Britain resumed negotiations, but the tone has hardened 

Angela Merkel has warned that the EU must prepare for the possibility of a No Deal Brexit and the chance that their post-Brexit relationship could fail. 

The Chancellor made the comments as Germany took the helm of the bloc's rotating presidency after months of standstill because of coronavirus.

This week the EU and Britain resumed negotiations on how to define Britain's future economic ties with the bloc, but the tone has hardened in both camps.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has insisted there is no chance of extending the Brexit transition period beyond the end of December, despite jibes from Brussels that the UK cannot afford another hit after the pandemic. 

Merkel already warned last week that Britain would 'have to live with the consequences' of weaker trade ties with the EU in a no-deal outcome

Merkel already warned last week that Britain would 'have to live with the consequences' of weaker trade ties with the EU in a no-deal outcome

Merkel already warned last week that Britain would 'have to live with the consequences' of weaker trade ties with the EU in a no-deal outcome. 

'I will keep pushing for a good solution, but the EU and Germany too must and should prepare for the case that an agreement is not reached,' Merkel told German lawmakers in Berlin today. 

The veteran leader was speaking on the first day of Germany's six-month EU presidency, set to be dominated by the coronavirus pandemic and its economic fallout. 

London and Brussels only have until the end of December to clinch a new Brexit agreement or end their half-century relationship without specific plans for how they plan to trade or coexist in other fields.

Without a deal, ties would be reduced to minimum standards set by the World Trade Organization with high tariffs and serious disruptions to business.   

Boris Johnson has insisted there is no chance of extending the Brexit transition period beyond the end of December, despite jibes from Brussels that the UK cannot afford another hit after the pandemic

Boris Johnson has insisted there is no chance of extending the Brexit transition period beyond the end of December, despite jibes from Brussels that the UK cannot afford another hit after the pandemic

The main sticking points are over rights to access UK fishing waters, and whether Britain must comply with the bloc's state aid rules and environmental, social and labour standards in return for a free trade deal. 

Germany has set itself an ambitious agenda for the EU presidency, which observers say may be the last chance for outgoing chancellor Merkel to shape her European legacy.

Her main goal is to push through a massive economic recovery plan to help the 27-member club cope with its steepest recession since World War II, triggered by a pandemic that has so far killed more than 500,000 people worldwide.

'We are living in very serious times and need to react accordingly,' Merkel told German MPs.

Brexit negotiator David Frost (pictured left) and Michel Barnier met face-to-face for the first time since March on Monday, as they tried to thrash out differences on fishing rights and demands to obey the bloc's rules

Brexit negotiator David Frost (pictured left) and Michel Barnier met face-to-face for the first time since March on Monday, as they tried to thrash out differences on fishing rights and demands to obey the bloc's rules

The chancellor, who has just over a year left in her final term, has thrown her political weight behind the proposed 750-billion-euro ($843-billion) recovery fund.

The fund would controversially be financed through shared EU borrowing, in a stunning U-turn for Germany after years of opposition to debt pooling.

'An extraordinary situation requires a special solution,' said Merkel.

The first big test of Germany's EU custodianship will come at a July 17-18 EU summit, where Merkel hopes leaders will reach an agreement on the recovery fund.

The money is expected to come mainly in the form of grants for countries hit hardest by the pandemic, such as debt-laden Italy and Spain.

But so-called frugal nations including Austria and the Netherlands want to rein in the spending and are insisting on loans rather than grants.

Merkel has urged holdout nations to show unprecedented solidarity with hard-hit neighbours, warning that an uneven recovery could undermine the EU single market and end up harming stronger economies too.

But 'member states' positions are still very far apart' on the matter, she admitted.

If accepted, the rescue fund would be a milestone for EU unity.

It would also be a big win for Berlin, and could ease some of the lingering resentment from the eurozone debt crisis a decade ago when Merkel's government insisted on harsh austerity for struggling nations like Greece. 

German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas (left) takes over the rotating European Union presidency of the 27-member bloc from Croatian Foreign Minister Gordan Grlic-Radman during a symbolic handover in front of the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin on 1 July

German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas (left) takes over the rotating European Union presidency of the 27-member bloc from Croatian Foreign Minister Gordan Grlic-Radman during a symbolic handover in front of the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin on 1 July 

Merkel has stressed the need for the bloc to prepare for the post-pandemic future, including through a more unified approach to health issues and by investing in climate-friendly projects.

Environmental demonstrators gathered outside the chancellery Wednesday with bags of fake euro banknotes to demand that any coronavirus stimulus be spent on 'a green and just future'.

At a Berlin press conference, Economy Minister Peter Altmaier said Germany supported the bloc's goal to become carbon neutral by 2050.

He also said Germany would use its EU presidency to push for 'more robust' supply chains within the EU after the virus outbreak left member states scrambling to secure protective gear mainly made in China.

Berlin would fight to make progress 'as quickly as possible' on a EU-China investment agreement aimed at levelling the playing field, he said. 

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2020-07-01 18:21:55Z
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