Vol. 7, Issue 2, Part A (2025)

The COVID-19 pandemic, emerging in late 2019, posed an unprecedented global health challenge that necessitated rapid development and deployment of medical interventions. Emergency Use Authorizations (EUAs) became a pivotal regulatory tool enabling expedited access to vaccines, therapeutics, and diagnostic tests before full formal approval. This review explores the legal framework and implementation of EUAs, highlighting their role in accelerating the availability of life-saving COVID-19 countermeasures such as mRNA vaccines and monoclonal antibodies. The FDA’s rolling review process allowed continuous data evaluation, balancing speed with safety. Despite the successes, challenges including public hesitancy, limited long-term data, supply chain barriers, and political pressures were observed. The EUA experience underscores key lessons: the feasibility of efficient yet safe expedited regulatory pathways, the importance of global collaboration, and the critical role of clear public communication in managing health crises. Looking forward, integrating advanced technologies like artificial intelligence and enhancing international cooperation will be crucial for improving EUA processes and ensuring equitable access in future emergencies. This paper provides insights into optimizing emergency regulatory frameworks to better prepare for future pandemics, aiming to safeguard global health through timely and equitable access to medical innovations.