Lembe Kullamaa, Member of EPF Youth Group took part in November 2016 in a European Medicines Agency (EMA)’s training directed to patients and consumers. She tells us more about this interesting and useful experience.
This has been one of the most interesting training sessions that I have attended. It lasted one day and was very action-packed. The day started with the introduction of how medicines are evaluated in Europe and how their safety is monitored. The EMA is a European Union agency that is responsible for the scientific evaluation and supervision of human and veterinary medicines that are developed for the EU market. They also provide scientific advice on the development process on request from pharmaceutical companies.
EMA has many opportunities to involve patients and consumers in the medicines’ approval process, even from the beginning. The whole training was very hands-on and involved real examples where patients can provide their knowledge to improve the process. Patients have been involved with EMA since the founding of the organisation.
For example, we can participate in scientific advice and protocol assistance procedures that take place pre-submission, we can participate in working groups, and we can respond to consultations and review information on medicines during evaluation and post-authorisation. During the training I attended, we worked through the whole process using real examples and discussing many aspects that are considered in the medicine evaluation process.
In conclusion, patients are very valued part of medicines’ evaluation and approval process and it is fantastic to see that EMA is using this very valued resource with their unique knowledge and input.
