The World Health Organization has determined that the current outbreak of Ebola disease caused by Bundibugyo virus in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Uganda constitutes a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC), but does not meet the criteria of a pandemic emergency. This conclusion was announced in a statement on 17 May.
The outbreak meets the criteria of the definition of PHEIC, for several reasons.
It is not realistic to expect increased investment in medicines research in the EU or quicker access to new treatments for its citizens if member states insist on the lowest possible prices and highest government rebates, according to Nathalie Moll, Director General of Efpia, the European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations. Ms Moll’s comments follow the publication of Efpia’s annual WAIT (Waiting to Access Innovative Therapies) report, which showed a picture of widening inequality among member states.
A provisional agreement by political authorities in the EU to support proposed legislation to improve the production and supply of critical medicines in the event of a disruption has been welcomed by the European Medicines Agency. Called the Critical Medicines Act, the legislation would spell out procedures for doing regular assessments of supply chains for the availability of essential medicines, identify vulnerabilities, and take steps to correct them. The EU has compiled a list of over 400 medicines which qualify as core products.
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