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Imvanex has been approved in the EU since 2013 for the prevention of smallpox

EMA recommends smallpox vaccine against monkeypox

The European Union's drug watchdog has recommended for approval the use of a smallpox vaccine to treat monkeypox, which could be classified by the World Health Organization as a global health emergency.

World • 22 Jul 22

Stephen Donnelly said around half the people with Covid in hospital have had the second booster

Three quarters of people in hospital with Covid over 65

Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly has said that three out of four patients in hospital with Covid-19 now are over 65 years of age.

Coronavirus • 11 Jul 22

Patients with EB must wear bandages on their skin to protect it

EMA recommends authorisation of Amryt's EB treatment

A European Medicines Agency committee has recommended the approval of the use of Amryt Pharma's Filsuvez in the EU for the treatment of partial thickness wounds associated with Epidermolysis Bullosa (EB) in those aged over six months.

Business • 22 Apr 22

The WHO said blanket travel bans will not prevent the international spread

WHO advises vulnerable, over-60s against travel

The World Health Organization said that while blanket travel bans would not stop the spread of the Omicron variant, Covid-vulnerable people, including the over-60s, should postpone plans to travel abroad.

Coronavirus • 30 Nov 21

The EMA said it hopes to decide on formal approval for the Merck pill, also known as molnupiravir, by the end of the year

Merck anti-Covid pill cleared for emergency use by EMA

The EU's drug watchdog has backed Merck's anti-Covid pill for emergency use ahead of a formal authorisation and started reviewing Pfizer's antiviral treatment as cases soar across Europe.

Coronavirus • 19 Nov 21

Moderna has applied to the European Medicines Agency for authorisation for younger people

EMA to decide on Moderna for children within 2 months

The EU's drug watchdog said it expects to decide within two months whether to approve Moderna's Covid-19 vaccine for children aged six to 11.

Coronavirus • 10 Nov 21

More than a dozen EU countries have already started administering boosters without official EMA backing

EMA to decide on Pfizer booster vaccine on Monday

The EMA will decide on Monday whether to approve Pfizer's Covid-19 booster vaccine, but it is unlikely to give precise guidance on who should receive it, according to an internal document and two officials.

Coronavirus • 29 Sep 21

FDA said 100 preliminary reports of GBS included 95 serious cases

EU reviews J&J vaccine for rare nerve disorder

The European Medicines Agency said it was analysing data on rare cases of a nerve disorder reported among recipients of Janssen (Johnson & Johnson) Covid-19 vaccine, after the US added a warning label to the shot.

Coronavirus • 13 Jul 21

EMA chief urges worldwide vaccine access after G7 vow

The head of the European Medicines Agency said today that all countries must have access to coronavirus vaccines, as G7 leaders were set to pledge one billion doses for poor nations.

Coronavirus • 11 Jun 21

Ireland is set to receive 2.2 million doses of the vaccine

J&J to deliver Covid-19 vaccine to Europe from 19 April

Johnson & Johnson has said it would start delivering its single-shot Covid-19 vaccine to Europe on 19 April, giving the continent a boost as it struggles to speed up its vaccination drive.

Coronavirus • 29 Mar 21

The Halix Building in Leiden, Netherlands

EMA approves Dutch AstraZeneca plant caught in UK row

The EU's drug watchdog gave the green light today to the Dutch Halix factory to produce AstraZeneca's coronavirus vaccine, which has been at the heart of a bitter dispute with Britain.

Coronavirus • 26 Mar 21

EMA reviewing Sputnik V vaccine for possible roll-out

The European Medicines Agency (EMA) has said it hopes to be able to approve the Russian Sputnik V vaccine for use in Europe's vaccine roll-out.

Coronavirus • 23 Mar 21

Anyone who has already received their first dose of the Covid vaccine will still receive their second dose as originally planned after 21 days (Pic: RollingNews.ie)

Period of time between Covid vaccine doses increases

The period of time between people receiving the two doses of a Covid-19 vaccine is being increased to 28 days from the current 21 days.

Coronavirus • 15 Jan 21

Moderna vaccine is the second vaccine for the novel coroanvirus to receive approval from Europe's medicines regulator

Commission clears Moderna Covid vaccine for use in EU

The European Commission has given approval for the use of the Moderna Covid-19 vaccine in the European Union, the final step required to allow its use across the continent.

Coronavirus • 06 Jan 21

The Minister said Ireland currently has the lowest rate of Covid-19 cases in the EU

Ireland 'in line' with EU states on vaccine roll-out

The Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly has said Ireland is 'in line' with the rest of the EU27 when it comes to the roll out of the Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine.

Coronavirus • 03 Dec 20

The European Medicines Agency said its procedure was more appropriate

EU criticises 'hasty' UK approval of Covid-19 vaccine

The European Union has criticised the UK's rapid approval of Pfizer and BioNTech's Covid-19 vaccine, saying its own procedure was more thorough.

Coronavirus • 02 Dec 20

The European Medicines Agency is currently based in London

Amsterdam to host European Medicines Agency

Amsterdam will host the European Medicines Agency once it leaves London after Brexit, EU ministers decided after a vote that ended with the Dutch city tied with Milan but the winner after the drawing of lots.

Business • 20 Nov 17

The EMA, which evaluates applications for new drugs and oversees their safety, currently employs 900 people

Ireland set for loss in fight for EBA and EMA

Ireland is set to lose out in the race to host the European Banking Authority and the European Medicines Agency after Brexit, according to reports from Bloomberg.

Business • 10 Oct 17

EMA employs 890 in London's Canary Wharf

Govt offers €10m to relocate EMA staff to Dublin

The Government has offered to spend €10 million to help with the relocation of staff at the European Medicines Agency from London to Dublin.

News • 01 Aug 17

The regulators will be leaving their current base in London as part of the Brexit process

Finance confirms application to host EBA after Brexit

The Department of Finance has confirmed that the Government has submitted a formal application for Ireland to host the European Banking Authority which is due to leave London as a result of the Brexit decision.

Business • 31 Jul 17

Germany is proposing that Bonn would host the EMA, while its suggested new home for the EBA would be Frankfurt

Germany joins list of suitors for EMA and EBA

Germany will apply to host the London-based European Medicines Agency (EMA) and the European Banking Authority (EBA) following Britain's departure from the European Union.

Business • 12 Jun 17

The European Medicines Agency is due to relocate from London after Britain's decision to leave the EU

EU drugmakers urge June decision on new watchdog HQ

Europe's drugmakers pushed for a decision as early as June on the new location for the headquarters of the bloc's medicines watchdog.

Business • 24 Apr 17

The agency and its 900 staff of pharmacists, biologists and doctors are tasked with researching and evaluating all new medicines to see if they are ready to be rolled out across the bloc

Dutch make formal bid to host European Medicines Agency

The Netherlands has made a formal bid to become the new home of the European Medicines Agency which will likely have to relocate from London after Britain leaves the European Union.

Business • 20 Apr 17

The European Medicines Agency (EMA) is Europe's equivalent of the US Food and Drug Administration

France backs Lille as best city to host EU drug agency

France has offered the northern city of Lille as a candidate to host the European Union's drug regulator to replace London after Britain leaves the bloc, the government said.