Peter O'Donnell, ACT's Brussels Correspondent

The agency has taken the lead in orchestrating a series of meetings of the International Coalition of Medicines Regulatory Authorities to help share information and collaborate in speeding COVID-19 drug and vaccine development and approval.

Europe may not be yet be winning huge praise for its response to the COVID-19 pandemic-but the EMA is coming out of it with flying colors.

After 2019 was defined by Brexit, 2020 threatens to be defined by another novel virus, wreaking damage across the world.

The European medicines industry has released a series of 'commitments' promising to “work collaboratively across the research and healthcare communities, utilizing our world-leading science, people and resources to tackle this outbreak.”

That question will likely hinge on EFPIA's ability to uphold its commitment to "work with governments and health systems to ensure that when new treatments and vaccines are approved, they are available and affordable.”

Europe was quick to claim, “world leadership” in the coronavirus outbreak. But with little evidence of any slowdown in diagnoses, the scrutiny that will accompany the greater appreciation, may prove to pinch like an ill-fitting slipper in the aftermath of the ball.

Though on its way out of the European Union, the UK is trying to align its trial approval practice with the EU’s new clinical trial regulation.

Teenagers with cancer could benefit from a proposed initiative to lower the age barrier for participation in trials for new oncology drugs.

With the coronavirus now spread across northern Italy, the EU is assembling its forces to slow the virus with an aid package worth $250 million.

Teenagers with cancer could benefit from a recommendation to lower the age barrier so they can take part in clinical trials says a proposal from the Fostering Age Inclusive Research Trials Initiative.

Social media uses transparency to highlight alleged gaps in clinical trial transparency and offers a more powerful approach to health campaigners.

The EMA is going to take a rather bolder approach to the use of data than in Germany, judging from major statements just out at the end of January.

Non-reporting has attained a high profile in Europe, partly because of the EMA's attempts to tackle the problem, and partly because of a highly-visible “name-and-shame” social media campaign.

An award made by the European Research Council allows Antonella Viola and her team at the University of Padova to be able to put funds into proof of concept work on using monoamine oxidase B inhibitors as novel drugs targeting NLRP3 inflammasome.

The festivities marking the late 2019 holiday season in Europe have been spoiled by a disconcerting message about the declining efficiency of investments in pharmaceutical research, in the shape of a lengthy report from the European Union on industry’s innovative capacity.

The European Union system for pharmacovigilance “is operating effectively and efficiently” concludes a report.

The balance is being sought in Europe data governance between private protection and public benefit-but has not yet been achieved.

Peter O’Donnell explores where the EU stands today in R&D pursuits for new antibacterial therapies.

Europe’s additional monitoring scheme hasn't been a roaring success, according to a recent report.

A shift in emphasis in healthcare strategy could reduce attention and funding to therapy and impose tougher controls over research projects, or possible mean a boost for innovative healthcare. A look at where these trends may go.

After a court case rehashes the issue of excessive secrecy in trial data, drug firms maintain their objections over releasing data on their products.

Peter O’Donnell writes of the support of ‘disruptive’ change in European health systems from European health professionals and policymakers from a recent gathering.

A strongly-worded plan for reining-in profit-driven drug firms receives immediate backlash as arguments over drug pricing and patient access continue to rage around Europe and the US.

A strongly-worded plan for reining-in profit-driven drug firms receives immediate backlash as arguments over drug pricing and patient access continue to rage around Europe and the US.

Peter O'Donnell discusses the outpouring of support for Stella Kyriakides, who has been designated to lead European Union health policy for the next five years, and how she might need every bit of it.

The two-year inquiry into possible maladministration at the EMA has intensified.

PhRMA in Europe cries of trailing the US after adopting reference pricing.

New rules in Denmark to eliminate potential conflict-of-interest issues follow the lead of the European Medicines Agency's repeated attempts to rebut allegations of pro-industry bias.

Peter O'Donnell discusses the European Commission's compendium and how triallists are not only obliged to comply with the current rules, but at the same time to prepare themselves for the future rules.

The consequences UK faces after being pulled out of the EU without any healthcare and research deal may affect all of Europe.