Commissioner’s comments were yet another sign that US FDA won’t clear a vaccine ahead of the election, but hours later the president suggests the White House may decline to clear the agency’s new guidance on emergency use authorization standards for COVID-19 vaccines, raising new concerns about political interference in any decisions.

While neither party is likely to make any big policy changes this year, the action from both sides of the aisle indicates politicians still see going after pharma as a winning issue with voters even as polls show voters are focused elsewhere. 

CARES Act appears to have overlooked Medicare coverage of a vaccine not granted traditional approval by US FDA. Meanwhile, other patient and provider vaccine reimbursement issues still need to be addressed by HHS and Congress to ensure widespread, affordable access to COVID-19 vaccines cleared by FDA under any pathway.

Pink Sheet reporters and editor discuss the pandemic’s effects on non-coronavirus-related product manufacturing, US FDA efforts to ensure vaccine sponsors maintain placebo controls once a product is available, and precedents that burden the agency.

As CEO Erck touts that its COVID vaccine has the 'best data,' Novavax prepares to enter Phase III trials and inks deal with Serum Institute to boost production even as its 'almost a perfect flu vaccine' remains on hold.

Pink Sheet reporters and editor discuss the ramifications of the AstraZeneca vaccine trial hold and vaccine sponsors pledging to wait until the completion of Phase III before submitting applications, as well as efforts to extend the rare pediatric disease priority review voucher program.