Early interaction with the European Medicines Agency is recommended if companies are planning to incorporate digital technologies into their drug development plans. 

The latest global vaccines summit has seen the launch of a new mechanism designed to spur the development of new coronavirus vaccines and ensure they are made available, particularly in low- and middle-income countries.

Ambitious efforts to make the EU more resilient to future challenges, such as health threats, drug supply problems, scientific advances and growing medicine costs, have taken a step forward with the publication of a roadmap for a wide-ranging Pharmaceutical Strategy to be adopted by the European Commission later in the year.

In addition to our daily in-depth coverage of key events relating to the coronavirus, we’re bringing you a periodic round-up of other pandemic developments. This edition covers events at the national, European and global level. 

The EU’s massive economic stimulus package, Next Generation EU, includes a wide-ranging health program that aims to make health systems more resilient to future threats by supporting the development and manufacture of affordable new medicines and vaccines as well as measures to prevent drug shortages.

UK proposals for limited cooperation with the EU in medicines regulation, including the recognition of certificates and inspections, are one glimmer of light in an otherwise uncertain post-Brexit regulatory scenario for the UK. But time pressures and political spats over the future relationship could throw the whole enterprise into doubt.