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COVID-19 TECHNOLOGIES MUST BE REGULATED TO AVOID BIGBROTHER SOCIETY

Technologies used to help stop the spread of Covid-19 must be regulated to avoid the normalisation of a big-brother-like society, researchers from Durham University Business School have argued.

The research draws from the concept of ‘societies of control’, developed by the French philosopher Giles Deleuze, in order to analyse the technologies currently being used to tackle the covid-19 pandemic. The study acknowledges the technologies’ health benefits but states that they must be cross-examined.

Dr Jeremy Aroles says, assistant professor, said: “Presented as ways to curb the immediate progression of the pandemic and improve safety, the acceptance and use of these technologies has become the new “normal” for many of us, therefore it is important that these systems of control are heavily vetted and cross-examined before being rolled out to the wider public.”

Expert group launched to advance research into rare diseases

Agroup of European experts have banded together to advance research into new orphan drugs and therapies for rare diseases.

The European Expert Group on Orphan Drug Incentives has been established ahead of the upcoming Pharmaceutical Strategy and ongoing Evaluation of the Orphan Medicinal Products (OMP) Regulation. The group will provide input to the ongoing OMP Regulation Evaluation and is currently working to develop proposals to be unveiled by 2021. The European Expert Group on Orphan Drug Incentives consists of patient alliance EURORDIS and EUCOPE, the

Rare diseases are thought to affect up to 5.9% of the population. association for small to medium-sized companies in pharma and medtech, as well as experts from academia, patient groups, investors and others. Initially the group will focus on accelerating regulatory pathways, launching new development incentives and addressing therapeutic In Europe a rare disease is defined when it affects fewer than 1 in 2,000 people. areas where there are no treatment options.

EURORDIS’ chief executive officer Yann le Cam said: “After two decades of the Orphan Medicinal Products Regulation, we have witnessed great progress as well as important challenges both on development and access to therapies. The new

The majority of rare diseases are thought to be genetic. European Expert Group on Orphan Drug Incentives allows for reflection on rare disease patients’ opportunities for treatments: how can we take stock of progress that has been made over the past two decades, and ensure we move forward at pace so that no one is

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left behind?’’

Rare Disease Day takes place on 28 February.