Pharma drew a line in the sand over Covid-19 vaccine readiness -- because someone had to

[Klaralven]

Talk about a rebuke.

President Trump may want a Covid-19 vaccine to ship in time to boost his reelection chances, but the pharmaceutical industry doesn’t appear ready to cooperate — at least, not on his terms.

In a highly unusual turn of events, nine vaccine makers — including some of the world’s biggest companies — plan to issue their own public pledge not to seek government approval without extensive safety and effectiveness data on Tuesday. This follows a fairly similar open letter the BIO trade group released last week warning any vaccine or therapy should only become available with the same sort of “rigorously considered” data.

These are only words, but right now, these are the words that Trump needs to hear.

After Trump has brazenly and transparently bullied members of his own team — most notably, Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Stephen Hahn — someone has to draw a line in the sand and push back against him.

There’s good reason. As we move closer to Nov. 3, vaccine makers are still testing their shots. Yet at a Friday press conference, Trump said a vaccine might be ready “maybe even before Nov. 1” or “sometime in the month of October.”

Wouldn’t that be convenient?

The vaccine makers that are signing this pledge — Pfizer, Merck, AstraZeneca, Sanofi, GlaxoSmithKline, BioNTech, Johnson & Johnson, Moderna, and Novavax — are rushing to complete clinical trials. But only Pfizer has indicated it may have late-stage results in October, and that’s not a given.

https://www.statnews.com/pharmalot/2020/09/07/pharma-covid-19-vaccine-drew-a-line/

[Thekaspervote]

1. It's good that the drug companies have made a joint statement

Can you imagine the law suits over a rushed vaccine...omg!!

As far as Pfizer saying they may have late stage results in Oct, that’s not a vaccine, that’s white paper detailing the trials, efficacy, side effects, etc etc etc

[onetexan]

2. Exactly, theyre trying to cover their behinds is more like it

[bullimiami]

3. And Russia's Sputnik ?? Actually was just going into trials. Not ready to launch.

[SpaceNeedle]

4. Not surprising - if they don't do rigorous testing

they will have to deal with the class action lawsuits which are pricey.

[IllinoisBirdWatcher]

5. I'm sure the Dumpster will publicly comment

that he "hardly knows those people" even though he has boasted about meeting with them.

[Azathoth]

6. Even big pharma knows Trump's MO is to let other people pay for his fuckups

They aren't interested in getting dragged through the mud just so Trump can pull a campaign stunt.

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

7. Good. As terrible as this disease is,

a rushed vaccine could be even worse.

I'm old enough to remember the Swine Flu Vaccine fiasco of 1976.