BRIEF—List of crucial COVID-19 drugs and vaccines adopted by EMA

The European Medicines Agency (EMA) has adopted a list of critical medicines for dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic.

Supply and demand of these products will be closely monitored by the EMA’s Medicines Shortages Steering Group (MSSG) to identify and manage potential or actual shortages.

The published list contains all the approved vaccines and therapeutics in the European Union (EU) to prevent or treat COVID-19. It will be updated to reflect changes in the pandemic situation which may give rise to an increased risk of shortages of particular medicines or following the authorization of new drugs.

Marketing authorization holders of medicines included in the list are required to regularly update the EMA with relevant information, including data on potential or actual shortages and available stocks, forecasts of supply and demand.

Member states will also provide regular reports on estimated demand for critical medicines at national level. This will enable the MSSG to recommend and coordinate appropriate EU-level actions to the European Commission and member states in order to prevent or mitigate potential or actual shortages of critical medicines.