Since the start of the coronavirus pandemic, the FAMHP teams have been working relentlessly and have devoted a lot of resources to support healthcare professionals and to ensure the quality and safety of medicinal products and medical devices used to treat COVID-19 patients. But the efforts do not stop. The FAMHP is now doing everything to prevent any shortage of medicinal products or medical devices in the event of a second wave of COVID-19.
The first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic seems to have settled down for some time, but the FAMHP teams are not scaling back their efforts.
And then?
A pandemic resurgence is possible. In order to be prepared for this, the FAMHP is currently working on solutions to prevent any shortage of medicinal products or medical devices to combat COVID-19 in the future as well. Our experts are, for example, analysing forecasts in terms of new COVID-19 patients in the coming months in order to forecast stocks of essential medicinal products and medical devices.
The FAMHP remains in contact with hospitals and representatives of pharmacies in order to best monitor the different needs in the event of a pandemic resurgence.
Support rapid vaccine development
The search for a COVID-19 vaccine is also a long process that will take several months. Our experts are in contact with major pharmaceutical companies developing vaccines to ensure that safe and effective vaccines can be made available to the population as quickly as possible.
The FAMHP has, amongst other things, authorised the first clinical trial evaluating a vaccine against COVID-19 in Belgium. This is the candidate vaccine from the German biotech firm CureVac. Further clinical trials of COVID-19 candidate vaccines are planned in Belgium in the coming weeks.
The first clinical trials aim to collect immunological and safety data, which is a very important first step towards vaccine development.
Pharmacovigilance
The FAMHP continues to actively monitor the safety of medicinal products used against COVID-19. The agency also continues to analyse the adverse effects reported in this context. If necessary, the FAMHP will communicate new information concerning the safety profile of these medicinal products.
More information
You can find all information from the FAMHP concerning the measures taken during COVID-19 on our website.