Moscow (dpa) – Experts with the EU medicines regulator were in Moscow to evaluate the Sputnik V Covid-19 vaccine, Russian media reported on Monday.
The representatives from the Amsterdam-based European Medicines Agency, which launched a «rolling review» of the Russian-made jab in early March, have so far visited two clinics in Moscow where patients were looked after during the vaccine’s all-important phase 3 trials.
The experts spoke with medical staff at the clinics, the Interfax news agency reported citing unnamed sources.
Visits to production sites are also reportedly planned.
The trip to Russia is part of the EMA’s process to evaluate the the efficacy of the vaccine. Under the «rolling review» procedure,» trial results are being examined, even if not all data are yet available and no application for approval has yet been submitted.
It is not clear how long the approval process will take.
Even though the EMA has not cleared it for use, EU member state Hungary has been administering the jab after jumping ahead and granting emergency authorization.
Officials in other EU countries have expressed interest in striking deals with Russia for doses as the bloc struggles to accelerate the pace of its vaccine drive.