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Centralized EU drug application process agreed upon

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European Union health ministers gave their initial consent to create a centralized procedure for the approval of certain types of drugs. A member of the EU Commission said it is hoped the new procedure will give pharmaceutical companies quicker access to market and patients quicker access to newer medicines, according to wire reports.

The centralized marketing procedure will apply to pharmaceuticals for the treatment of cancer, AIDS, neuro-degenerative diseases and diabetes. Pharmaceuticals outside those disease categories can be submitted for approval through the centralized procedure or through the currently-used mutual recognition process, in which approval by one member country is then recognized by other member countries.

The proposed new authorization procedure still needs to be approved by the EU Parliament. EU officials said they hope the new procedure will be in place by the end of the year, according to the AP.