EMA Celebrates 25th Anniversary

The European Medicines Agency (EMA) marked their 25th anniversary on Jan. 26, 2020. The agency was founded in 1995 with the mission of creating a system for the evaluation and supervision of medicines throughout the European Union. EMA has worked with the European Commission and medicines regulatory authorities in the European Economic Area to ensure high standards for both human and animal health. EMA has also helped develop specialized medicines for rare diseases, herbal medicines, pediatric medicines, and advanced-therapy medicines.

During its 25 years, EMA has accomplished a variety of quality endeavors, including approval of the first biosimilars, the first stem-cell medicines, and the first gene therapy in the EU. It launched its PRIority Medicines Scheme in 2016 and saw the EU enter into mutual recognition agreements in 2017 with the United States to ensure a more streamlined facility inspection system.

“[Twenty-five] years is a significant milestone for EMA. Together with our partners and stakeholders from national authorities, EU institutions and civil society we harmonised and improved medicines’ evaluation, stimulated innovation, improved safety monitoring and management, fostered transparency and dialogue, built relationships with international partners, and helped to make medicines accessible to those who need them,’’ said Guido Rasi, EMA's Executive Director, in a press release. “As we look to the future, we will continue to build on these strong foundations to deliver high-quality work for the benefit of public and animal health.’’

Source: EMA