Brussels, March 23, (dpa/GNA) – The European Medicines Agency (EMA) is planning a trip to Russia to inspect the Sputnik V production facility there to assess whether the vaccine can be authorized in the European Union.
“We are currently planning inspections of the manufacturing and clinical sites in Russia,” the head of the EMA, Emer Cooke, said on Tuesday.
“I take this opportunity to stress again that we are committed to applying the same standards and scrutiny to this review as to any other scientific assessments,” she said.
Russian Health Minister Mikhail Murashko said on Monday that the visit would take place on April 10, Reuters reported.
Sputnik 5 is currently under rolling review by the EMA, alongside the CureVac and Novavax vaccines.
Once reviewed, the company can apply for market authorization in the bloc. The European Commission has no supply contract with Sputnik V at present.
EU member state Hungary has jumped ahead and granted emergency authorization to the Russian vaccine.
GNA