AstraZeneca may have included ‘outdated’ data in US vaccine trials
The AstraZeneca vaccine is cheaper and easier to store than many of its rivals, but several countries in Europe and other parts of the world last week suspended its use because of isolated cases of blood clots.
South San Francisco, CA, USA – Mar 1, 2020: The British-Swedish science-led biopharmaceutical company AstraZeneca plc’s office in South San Francisco, California. Picture: iStock/hapabapa
AstraZeneca may have included out-of-date drug data in information provided during US trials for its Covid-19 vaccine, a regulator said late Monday, citing concerns from a monitoring board.
The board “expressed concern that AstraZeneca may have included outdated information from that trial, which may have provided an incomplete view of the efficacy data,” a statement from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases said.
A US government agency Tuesday raised concerns that AstraZeneca may have included out-of-date drug data in information provided during US trials for its Covid-19 vaccine.
A monitoring board had “expressed concern that AstraZeneca may have included outdated information from that trial, which may have provided an incomplete view of the efficacy data,” a statement from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases said.
ALSO READ: DA calls on govt to immediately begin roll-out of AstraZeneca jabs
“We urge the company to work with the DSMB (Data and Safety Monitoring Board) to review the efficacy data and ensure the most accurate, up-to-date efficacy data be made public as quickly as possible.”
The statement comes after AstraZeneca said Monday that stage three US trials had showed its Covid-19 vaccine was 79 percent effective at preventing the disease.
AstraZeneca said it was preparing to submit its findings to the US Food and Drug Administration to authorise the shot for emergency use.
The AstraZeneca vaccine is cheaper and easier to store than many of its rivals, but several countries in Europe and other parts of the world last week suspended its use because of isolated cases of blood clots.
For more news your way, download The Citizen’s app for iOS and Android.
