European Medicines Agency announces plan to publish committee agendas and minutes

Latest initiative on enhancing transparency

In the latest step to improve the transparency of the European Medicines Agency, its Executive Director Guido Rasi has announced a plan for publishing the agendas and minutes of the Agency's scientific committees.

The first wave began this week with the publication of the agenda and minutes of the Paediatric Committee (PDCO). The process will continue with the publication of the agenda and minutes of the Pharmacovigilance Risk Assessment Committee (PRAC), which has its inaugural meeting on 19-20 July 2012, and the Committee for Orphan Medicinal Products (COMP).

The Agency is adopting a phased approach to the publication of minutes and agendas of its remaining four committees. It will systematically publish all of its committees' agendas and minutes before the end of 2013.

Announcing the initiative, Professor Rasi said, “I have made increased transparency one of my key priorities since my appointment as Executive Director in November 2011. This latest initiative is an important part of opening up our operations, to reinforce the trust and reputation of the Agency as a public-health body.”

Note

• In line with the current interpretation jointly agreed by the heads of national medicines authorities and the Agency, agendas and minutes will be redacted to protect certain confidential information and personal data. Information on all applications under review by the Agency is already made public.