HMA / EMA Task Force on the Availability of Authorised Medicines for Human and Veterinary Use (2016-2024)

The Heads of Medicines Agencies (HMA) / European Medicines Agency (EMA) Task Force on the Availability of Authorised Medicines for Human and Veterinary Use (TF-AAM) provided strategic and structural solutions to tackle disruptions in the supply of medicines and ensure their continued availability in the European Union (EU). It focused on the availability of authorised human and veterinary medicines, irrespective of the authorisation route. It functioned between 2016 and end of 2024.

EMA published information on this page to reflect the activities of its former task force with HMA on the availability of medicines, between 2016 and 2024. EMA is no longer updating this page.

The task force concluded its work on 11 December 2024. 

This followed the set up of EMA's Executive Steering Group on Shortages and Safety of Medicines (MSSG) and Medicine Shortages Single Point of Contact (SPOC) Working Party, in line with the Regulation on EMA's Reinforced Role (Regulation (EU) 2022/123. 

The task force's activities have been transferred to the MSGG, SPOC WP and the Working Group on Communication Professionals (WGCP).

Role and priorities (no longer applicable)

The task force functioned as a 'supply and availability hub'. 

It tracked progress on the medicine availability and shortage-related activities that the European medicines regulatory network undertook in the context of the:

• European medicines agencies network strategy to 2025
• European Commission's Pharmaceutical Strategy for Europe
• HMA/EMA multi-stakeholder workshop on shortages
• joint action on shortages, the Coordination and Harmonisation of the Existing Systems against Shortages of Medicines (CHESSMEN), a three-year plan starting in January 2023 to enhance national systems in tackling medicines shortages in a harmonised way and to promote the use of best preventive practices to reduce shortages of medicines

The Task Force's priorities included:

• developing strategies to improve prevention and management of shortages caused by disruptions in the supply chain (for example developing guidance for companies on reporting shortages);
• encouraging best practices to prevent shortages;
• improving the sharing of information and best practices among EU regulatory authorities to better coordinate actions across the EU;
• fostering collaboration with stakeholders and enhancing communication of supply problems to EU citizens.

Structure, work programme and terms of reference (no longer applicable)

Work programme until 2025 of the HMA/EMA task force on availability of authorised medicines for human and veterinary use

Reference Number: EMA/724592/2022 Rev.2

Terms of reference of the HMA/EMA task force on availability of authorised medicines for human and veterinary use

Reference Number: EMA/857232/2016 Rev. 2

Composition (no longer applicable)

Composition of the HMA/EMA task force on availability of authorised medicines for human and veterinary use