Pfizer, AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine reviews accelerated - report

Britain’s drug regulator has reportedly started an accelerated reviews of Covid-19 vaccines under development from Pfizer and AstraZeneca.

The Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency started a rolling review of the Pfizer vaccine in recent weeks, Bloomberg reported, citing a source who wished to remain anonymous.

The report added that the agency was also conducting an expedited review of Astra’s vaccine, which the company is co-developing with the University of Oxford, citing a spokesman for Astra.

Rolling reviews allow regulators to see clinical data in real time and have discussions with companies about ongoing trials and manufacturing processes so that approvals can be granted more quickly. The approach is designed to speed up access to drugs and vaccines when there is a public health need.