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The European Commission released a redacted version of its contract with pharmaceutical giant AstraZeneca on Friday, hoping to show that the company had breached a commitment on deliveries of coronavirus vaccines.
Releasing the document, EU spokesman Eric Mamer said it would show that the contract covers AstraZeneca plants in the UK and that “these plants will contribute to the effort … to deliver doses to the European Union.”
Meanwhile, Britain had signed its contract three months before Brussels and the company used the time to resolve production problems and launch deliveries.
But the European Commission reacted angrily, insisting that its contract does not stipulate that British production is reserved for UK deliveries and that it is up to the company to honor its commitments.
Mr Mamer said that the previously confidential contract would prove that AstraZeneca had signed up to a clear delivery schedule and not simply to do its “best efforts” to fulfill the EU contract.
He said: “So, in our mind, there is absolutely no doubt that we have a firm commitment to the company and as with all other companies to deliver the doses according to specific schedules.”
BREAKAGE The European Commission AstraZeneca contract has been published. It is below, follow the link PDFhttps: //t.co/wzkUxmHRaU
– Tony Connelly (@tconnellyRTE) January 29, 2021
Earlier, the President of the EU Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, said that the contract contains binding orders.
The EU has been locked in a row with AstraZeneca, which partnered with Britain’s Oxford University to develop its vaccine, after the drugmaker said last week it would cut first-quarter deliveries due to production problems at a Belgian factory.
An EU official said that means the EU would receive 31 million doses in the period, or 60% less than initially agreed, piling up pressure on the 27-nation bloc, which has delayed vaccination campaigns in Israel, United Kingdom and United States.
“There are binding orders and the contract is very clear,” von der Leyen told Deutschlandfunk radio, adding that it contained clear delivery amounts for December and the first three quarters of 2021.
“AstraZeneca has also explicitly assured us in this contract that no other obligation would prevent the contract from being fulfilled,” he added.
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Ms Von der Leyen’s comments contradict statements by AstraZeneca CEO Pascal Soriot, who told newspapers on Tuesday that the EU contract was based on a “best effort” clause and did not commit the company. with a specific delivery schedule.
Soriot has also said that the EU was delayed in closing a supply contract, so the company did not have enough time to fix production problems at a partner-run vaccine factory in Belgium.
Ms Von der Leyen said the “best effort” cause is only valid as long as it is not clear whether AstraZeneca could develop a vaccine. He also said there was no “order sequence” stipulation and mentioned four production sites, two of which are in Britain.
The EU contract with AstraZeneca is an advance purchase agreement for the supply of at least 300 million doses provided the vaccine is approved as safe and effective, with doses delivered in stages. It is expected to be approved by the European Medicines Agency today.
Yesterday, Germany’s drug regulator said there was insufficient data to determine the vaccine’s effectiveness in those over 65.
The European Commission, meanwhile, will establish plans to restrict EU vaccine exports if those exports undermine supplies that are contractually owed to member states.
AstraZeneca applied for marketing authorization through the EMA on January 11.
Despite the relative speed with which the agency has been evaluating clinical data, it means the EMA will license the vaccine later than other regulators.
It is not yet clear whether the EMA will adopt the same conclusions as the German regulator, which has said there is insufficient data to determine whether or not the vaccine was safe in those over 65.
The process has been overshadowed by the public dispute between the company and the EU.
Once authorization was granted, Europe was to receive 81 million doses by the end of March.
However, the company told the Commission last Friday that they could only deliver a quarter of that amount.
There are reports that the company will significantly increase its supplies to member states.
The HSE said it will hear the EMA’s decision regarding the use of the vaccine in people over 65.
Additional information Tony Connelly
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