EU set for legal war against AstraZeneca over shortfall

The European Commission, led by president Ursula von der Leyen, is working on legal proceedings against AstraZeneca after the drugmaker cut Covid vaccine deliveries to the European Union, sources familiar with the matter said. The move would mark a further step in an EU plan to sever ties with the Anglo-Swedish company after it repeatedly cut supplies to the bloc, contributing to major delays in Europe’s vaccine rollout. An EU official involved in talks with drugmakers confirmed authorities in Brussels were preparing to sue the company. The matter was discussed on Wednesday at a meeting with EU diplomats, where most EU states supported the legal action, two diplomats said. However its largest, Germany and France, asked for more time to think about the possible move, the diplomats said. A spokesman for AstraZeneca said the company was not aware of any legal proceedings “and continues to hold regular discussions on supply with the commission and member states”. Brussels in March sent a legal letter to the company in the first step of potential court proceedings. When the deadline for a reply expired this month, a spokesman for the commission said the matter was discussed in a meeting with AstraZeneca but the EU was still seeking further clarification from the company on “a number of outstanding points”.