BRUSSELS (AP) — France says it could emulate Italy in blocking the export of COVID-19 vaccines from the European Union if that’s what is needed to enforce its own contracts with drugs manufacturers. A shipment of more than a quarter-million doses destined for Australia was blocked by Italy from leaving the 27-nation bloc, in the first use of an export control system instituted by the EU to make sure big pharma companies respect their EU contracts. The ban was approved by the EU in a move that frustrated the Australian government. French health minister Olivier Veran said on Friday that he “understood” the Italian’s government decision and indicated France “could do the same.”
