Parliament adopts a proposal for the creation of a Special Committee on COVID-19

The Proposal for a decision states that the Committee aims to investigate how Europe responded to the pandemic and how the lessons learned may inform future action in the four areas listed below:

• Health
• This area mainly aims at analysing the European response to COVID-19, vaccine hesitancy, the effect of the pandemic on the healthcare sector such as medicines, healthcare workers, care services and the management of communicable and non-communicable diseases. It also covers the mandate of HERA, EMA and ECDC and the “One Health” Approach. It will additionally consider the role of the pharmaceutical industry in the pandemic response.
• Coordinated approach with respect for democracy and fundamental rights
• This area covers topics such as travelling restrictions, the use of technological tools, and inequality.
• Societal and economic impact
• This area aims to analyse the impact of the pandemic on poverty, inequalities, work organisation, domestic violence, education, hospitality sector, culture, and tourism.
• EU and the World
• This area focuses on international aspects of the pandemic and vaccine diplomacy, as well as the distribution of vaccines across the world.

The Committee will address topics for which in silico medicine could play an important role, including ensuring access to medicines and safe and effective vaccines. It would be crucial for our community to highlight the potential for (as well as successful use examples during COVID) of computer modelling and simulation for pandemic response and preparedness.

More information to come!