Many memorable events occurred in 2022. The highlights are listed below, to give readers a sense of the year at a glance.
The year at a glanceAn overview of memorable events in 2022
January
The antiviral medicine Paxlovid is approved, subject to conditions. Paxlovid is the first Covid medicine that patients take orally.
These new European regulations should contribute to better availability and use of veterinary medicinal products.
February
The Science Day 2022 focuses on the current situation in the area of academic medicine development, and how this research can achieve maximum impact.
The Covid vaccine produced by Moderna (Spikevax) has received a positive assessment for use in children aged 6 years and over. This vaccine had already been approved, subject to conditions, for adults and children aged 12 and over.
March
From now on, the MEB will permit four warning pictograms on medicine boxes, relating to pregnancy, breastfeeding, driving a vehicle and/or alcohol. These images will contribute to the safe and appropriate use of medicines.
Since its foundation in 1963, the MEB has decided whether a medicine will receive a marketing authorisation in the Netherlands. Today, the Board held its one thousandth meeting
May
Johan Schefferlie is selected as the new Chair of the Committee for Medicinal Products for Veterinary Use (CVMP).
The new In Vitro Diagnostics Regulation (IVDR) takes effect on 26 May 2022. This is the European regulation on medical devices for in-vitro diagnostics. It also covers devices used for companion diagnostics.
June
The Board Chair is named Officer of the Order of Orange-Nassau. He receives the honour on 22 June after his farewell speech as a professor at Utrecht University.
July
The smallpox vaccine Imvanex can also be used as a vaccine to protect adults against mpox (monkeypox virus).
September
Pfizer and Moderna have adapted their Covid vaccines to include the Omicron variant (BA.1) in addition to the original strain. The European Medicines Agency (EMA) has assessed the submitted research data and issued a positive recommendation. The vaccines may be used as a booster for everyone 12 years of age or older.
Approval subject to conditions means that the research information is not yet complete and fully known. Nevertheless, based on the available information, there are sufficient indications that the positive effects outweigh the risks. The manufacturer is required to submit additional information within the next two years. European authorities issue conditional approvals only when a disease is severe and no better treatment options are available.
The Covid vaccines produced by Pfizer and Moderna initially received marketing authorisations subject to conditions in late 2020 and early 2021. The manufacturers have submitted the results of ongoing clinical trials and other supplementary data. The Pfizer and Moderna Covid vaccines have now received standard marketing authorisation.
October
More than 400 participants attend MEB Day 2022 at DeFabrique in Maarssen. They take part in a varied programme featuring keynote speakers and interactive breakout sessions on the theme ‘Medicines within reach’.
The Comirnaty (Pfizer) and Spikevax (Moderna) Covid vaccines are approved for use in children aged 6 months and over.
A lot has happened since the start of the Covid pandemic: from the development and approval of the first Covid vaccine, to the adjustment of the vaccines to new Covid variants. We’ve compiled a list of everything that has happened at the MEB in the past 1,000 days.
November
Today marks the start of the international MedSafety Week, an annual campaign organised by the MEB and Lareb, the Netherlands Pharmacovigilance Centre. The aim of this week is to draw attention to the importance of reporting adverse reactions. This year, special attention was given to how patients and care providers can contribute to the safe use of medicines.
Scientific collaboration helps improve the development and assessment of medicines: that was the key message of the inaugural lecture by Peter Mol, Professor of Regulatory Science and Senior Assessor at the MEB. Peter Mol gave his inaugural lecture in Groningen on 25 November.
Dutch people gave trust in their medicines a score of 8.2. This was revealed in a new study by the research agency Nivel on behalf of the MEB.
December
Providers of information on medicines in the Netherlands will use a single, standard set of pictograms. That is the goal expressed in the declaration of intent that 17 parties, including the MEB, signed today in The Hague.
