Brussels, 2 December 2024
Today, the European Commission’s Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Authority (HERA) has signed on behalf of 13 countries a joint procurement framework contract with the pharmaceutical company Gilead, for the supply of 2,250,000 Veklury (Remdesivir) vials.
This antiviral treatment can be used to treat COVID-19 in adult and adolescent hospitalised patients with pneumonia requiring supplemental oxygen or to treat adults who are at an increased risk of progressing to severe COVID-19.
The contract will run for a maximum of 3 years. It is the third of its kind, following the expiration of the second contract in January 2024.
Joint procurement is an EU level mechanism that enable the 37 countries that signed the Joint Procurement Agreement to jointly procure medical countermeasures as an alternative or complement to procurement at national level, on a voluntary and flexible basis. This mechanism contributes to EU-level preparedness for public health crises or pandemics.
In line with its mandate on preparedness, HERA continues to work closely with the participating countries to identify and implement priorities for joint procurement.
Further information can be found here.