By The Associated Press
BRUSSELS â The EUâs executive arm has proposed EU nations join forces to develop and deploy COVID-19 treatments across the 27-nation bloc.
The European Commission says vaccines will not eradicate coronavirus âovernightâ and efficient drugs will still be required to treat patients in hospitals or at home, including those with long-haul symptoms after COVID-19.
The Commission wants to set up a portfolio of 10 potential COVID-19 treatments with the aim of authorizing three new drugs by October to treat COVID-19. The executive branch says two more treatments could get approved by the end of the year.
The Commission says it will invest 90 million euros ($108 million) in studies and clinical trials and an extra 40 million euros ($48 million) to support manufacturing and access for COVID-19 drugs and treatments.
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HEREâS WHAT ELSE IS HAPPENING:
MANILA, Philippines â The president of the Philippines is asking China to take back 1,000 doses of donated Sinopharm vaccine after facing criticism for receiving a shot even though it has not yet been authorized for public use in the country.
The Philippine health secretary injected Duterte with the coronavirus vaccine Monday. An unspecified number of Duterteâs guards have also been injected with the Sinopharm vaccine in secrecy.
The president apologized but says his use of the Chinese vaccine was recommended by his doctors and did not breach any regulation because it was covered by a âcompassionate useâ exemption.