An EU politician has accused AstraZeneca of working with ‘dishonesty’ and ‘arrogance’ in a sharp rise in the bloc’s series on vaccine supply.
Belgian MEP Philippe Lamberts today made a blistering attack on the UK-based company, which he said had ‘over-promised and pre-delivered’ on doses.
He even expressed skepticism about AstraZeneca’s data and pointed to ‘potential problems with side effects – despite the regulator saying it was safe.
Brussels has locked horns with AstraZeneca over the terms of its contract, which the Anglo-Swedish pharmaceutical company denies has broken.
In a dramatic move to slow the spread of the Continent, EU leaders today unveiled plans to ban the export of vaccines to countries with high levels of infection.
It means the UK – which has vaccinated more than half of adults compared to 15 per cent in the EU – could be hit by the embargo.
Belgian MEP Philippe Lamberts today launched a full-blown attack on the UK-based company, which he said had ‘promised too much and under-delivered’ on doses
The UK – which has vaccinated more than half of adults compared to 15 per cent in the EU – could be hit by the embargo
‘The dispute is not between the European Commission and the British Government,’ Mr Lamberts told BBC Radio 4’s Today program earlier this morning.
‘It’s between the Europeans and one of their suppliers [AstraZeneca] which has gained a reputation.
With over-promise and under-delivery with large amounts, we all see that they have collected up at least twice their test data. So everything points to a company that can’t be trusted. ‘
AstraZeneca, which manufactures vaccines in the UK and the Continent, covers both the UK and the EU.
Although there have been setbacks with the production process, the EU complains that the company is prioritizing British order at the expense of the bloc.
The UK ordered 100 million doses from AstraZeneca three months before Brussels placed its order for 300million.
Mr Lamberts, a Green MEP, fought against AstraZeneca for not being ‘uncomplicated’ when dealing with the bloc, compared to Pfizer and Moderna, with which Brussels also has immunization contracts .
‘They promise, they refuse, then they disallow their new promises without any warning,’ he said.
He said the company had demonstrated ‘inability to deliver, coupled with a kind of attack on the EU as a buyer’.
In a resounding move to encourage the slow spread of the Province, EU leaders (Commission President Ursula von der Leyen pictured) today unveiled plans to ban vaccine exports to countries. with high levels of occupancy
The EU claims to be getting more doses after reports that European stocks were becoming obsolete due to low catch rates.
European leaders have cast doubt on the reality of the AstraZeneca injection, including French President Emmanuel Macron.
Mr Lamberts acknowledged that many member states have a good history of vaccine distribution.
But he said: ‘Of course we have to do our job, but that doesn’t allow suppliers to deliver on their promises no matter what the customer does with their product.
‘The right way to deal with that is for the British Government, the EU Commission and AstraZeneca at the highest levels to come together and try to find a mutually agreeable solution.’
Mr Lamberts said the vaccine, which was developed at Oxford University, has’ potential complications with side effects, despite regulators ruling it is safe.
This postcard shows what the AstraZeneca supply chain looks like across Europe.
Earlier this month several EU countries stopped using AstraZeneca injections after a handful of recipients – out of millions – experienced bleeding.
The European Medicines Agency (EMA) reviewed and concluded that it was safe, encouraging a horrible U-turn by most countries.
Speaking to him he said: ‘The EU Pharmaceutical Organization has said that, despite the problems, the benefits of the vaccine outweigh the problems we are seeing. ‘
He made the comments after criticizing the pharmaceutical company for saying they had misled the EU about its ability to deliver orders, but said some politicians EU ‘on top’ in response to concerns about blood clot issues.
But he also accused the UK-based company of leaking false test data.
‘My controversy with AstraZeneca is on test data, and that dates back to the autumn and has appeared in the US recently,’ he said.
Mr Lamberts said he was also angry about ‘AstraZeneca’s inability to deliver, coupled with a kind of EU attack as a buyer’.
AstraZeneca declined to comment.