Tensions rise between the European Union and Astrazeneca for the announced cut in deliveries (-60% in the first quarter) of the anti Covid-19 vaccines. What unleashed the wrath of Brussels were some interviews given by the CEO of the British company, Pascal Soriot to various European newspapers, including Repubblica. The increase in tension on vaccines has widened the declines on the European stock exchanges and Milan is among the worst at the end of the morning.
THE WORDS OF SORIOT
According to Soriot, Astrazeneca would have no obligations towards the European Union. The contract signed by the parties would speak of "best effort", i.e. "we will do our best", a formula which - specifies the CEO - would have been used precisely because the EU had asked for the same production capacity as the United Kingdom "although the contract is was signed three months later”.
Soriot clarified that “In February we will deliver a satisfactory quantity to Europe, similar to the other producers” and “to Italy 2,5 million doses”. “The production of our vaccine consists of two phases – he continued -. One is the creation of the active principle in two plants in Belgium and the Netherlands, the other is the rendering into drug, in two centers in Germany and Italy, in Anagni, where you are doing an extraordinary job. Difficulties arise in the first stage. Some sites generate more 'cash', others less, as unfortunately happened in Europe. We're two months late, but we'll sort it out these problems,” he reassured.
BRUSSELS' RESPONSE
However, Brussels is not there and asks for the release of the secrecy clause for be able to publish the contract. This was revealed by Ansa citing EU sources. In particular, the sources clarify that it is not envisaged that the production of doses for the EU should be limited to the factory in Belgium, but can also take place in the United Kingdom.
"When they signed the agreement, they did so on the basis of the capacity to produce", specified the spokesman of the EU Commission, Eric Mamer, who at this point wonders why Astrazeneca signed a contract knowing it could not satisfy the request . “All things that we will explore in the summit convened for today”, concluded Mamer.
Due to the tensions, however, the meeting risked being cancelled. The Austrian health minister had announced a Reuters one postponement to Thursday. A little later, however, the company told the American agency that the meeting will take place, as planned, today. L'Handle he specifies that Brussels would have put strong pressure on the pharmaceutical company to confirm the summit.
The two sides had already met on Monday, but the answers provided by AstraZeneca had been judged "unsatisfactory".
Yesterday, Tuesday 26 January, the President of the European Commission also spoke on the matter from the World Economic Forum in Davos, Ursula von der Leyen, stating that “the EU and others have helped with money to build research centers and production plants, Europe has invested billions to help develop the world's first vaccines against Covid-19, to create a true common good. Now companies must keep their word: they must honor their obligations.”
ITALY INVESTS IN REITHERA
While waiting for the clash between Brussels and Astrazeneca to be resolved, Italy is going ahead on its own. “The Italian State enters ReiThera with public capital, the Castel Romano company that is developing the anti-Covid vaccine. It is a right and important choice. We must emerge from this crisis stronger to ensure people's health today and tomorrow". This is the announcement made by the Minister of Health, Roberto Speranza, on his Facebook page.
The planned investments amount to 81 million. In February, the vaccine will begin phase two of the trials in February, after presenting the data on phase one on January 5. According to what was declared by the president of the Italian Medicines Agency (Aifa), Giorgio Palù, in the transmission 'Buongiorno' of Sky TG24, the serum will be available from September. “The doses of the vaccine, he explained, ”could supplement the availability of over 200 million doses which had been put in the purchase estimate, but which is being delayed”.
