Medical terms simplifier
EMA’s medical terms simplifier gives plain-language descriptions of medical terms commonly used in information about medicines:
The resource focuses on side effects and other terms used in medicines information and assessments of medicines.
The medical terms simplifier does not cover rarely used terms, most disease states, very specialised areas or the broader field of medical science. EMA will issue updates of the document.
Glossary of regulatory terms
EMA's glossary of regulatory terms gives definitions for the main regulatory terms used on this website and in EMA documents.
Click on a letter below to see terms beginning with that letter.
Disclaimer: EMA has developed the definitions in this glossary to help this website's users understand regulatory terminology. Definitions may differ from those given in European Union legislation.
A medicine that delivers genes into the body.
More information can be found under Advanced therapy medicinal products
A generic medicine is a medicine that is developed to be the same as a medicine that has already been authorised. Its authorisation is based on efficacy and safety data from studies on the authorised medicine. A company can only market a generic medicine once the 10-year exclusivity period for the original medicine has expired.
More information can be found under Generic and hybrid medicines
A set of standards for the collection, cultivation, harvest and primary processing of plant materials for use in herbal medicines. Abbreviated as GACP.
More information can be found under Guideline on good agricultural and collection practice for starting materials of herbal origin.
A code of international standards concerning the design, conduct, performance, monitoring, auditing, recording, analysis and reporting of clinical trials. Good clinical practice provides assurance that a study’s results are credible and accurate and that the rights and confidentiality of the study subjects are protected. Abbreviated as GCP.
More information can be found under Good clinical practice
A code of standards ensuring that the quality of a medicine is maintained throughout the distribution network, so that authorised medicines are distributed to retail pharmacists and others selling medicines to the general public without any alteration of their properties. Abbreviated as GDP.
More information can be found under Good distribution practice.
A code of standards concerning the testing of medicines in laboratories during their development. Abbreviated as GLP.
More information can be found under Good laboratory practice compliance
A code of standards concerning the manufacture, processing, packing, release and holding of a medicine. Abbreviated as GMP.
More information can be found under Good manufacturing practice.
A set of measures drawn up to facilitate the performance of the safety monitoring of medicines in the European Union. Abbreviated as GVP.
More information can be found under Good pharmacovigilance practices.
The possibility for a marketing authorisation holder to submit more than one variation for a medicine in a single application.
More information can be found under Grouping of variations: questions and answers.
A document providing guidance on the scientific or regulatory aspects of the development of medicines and applications for marketing authorisation. Although guidelines are not legally binding, applicants need to provide justification for any deviations.
For more information can be found under Scientific guidelines.