WHO, International Regulatory Authorities Promote COVID-19 Cooperation

The World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Coalition of Medicines Regulatory Authorities said in a statement late last week that they are committed to ensuring that “rigorous scientific standards” are upheld while seeking “safe, early and equitable COVID-19 treatments.”

The international bodies said they hope to align regulatory processes among members to speed the development and distribution of COVID-19 medicines.

Regulatory approval “should be based on an independent scientific assessment of the balance of benefits and risks,” they said in a joint statement.