ICMRA Summit 2025: EMA concludes its two mandates as chair
ICMRA elects new chair in Amsterdam
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EMA’s Executive Director, Emer Cooke, has handed over the role of chair of the International Coalition of Medicines Regulatory Authorities (ICMRA) to Anthony Lawler from the Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). He was voted in as the next ICMRA chair during the ICMRA 2025 annual meeting.
The announcement was made during the annual ICMRA summit and plenary meeting, hosted by EMA in Amsterdam from 21 to 24 October. The meetings were attended by participants representing more than 40 medicines regulatory authorities from around the world as well as experts from the World Health Organization (WHO) as Observer.
“ICMRA has proven its value both as a platform for sharing information and best practices and as a venue for providing strategic leadership, active exchange of information, pragmatic solutions and regulatory convergence. It is vital we continue to build and grow this network and harness it for the greater good. As a member of the Coalition, I remain deeply committed to supporting its work and objectives in the years ahead.”
At the ICMRA Summit 2025, international medicines authorities addressed the regulators’ role as communicators of reliable, evidence-based, scientific information and the importance of trust and transparency. They highlighted positive examples of reliance pathways saving resources globally and facilitating access. ICMRA members also shared meaningful experiences and perspectives on the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in regulatory practices, and how they can use this transformative technology ethically and responsibly to facilitate access to medicines and innovation.
The Coalition also presented its annual ICMRA award to Emer Cooke in recognition of her outstanding contribution to international cooperation and the advancement of ICMRA’s mission.
During Emer Cooke’s tenure as ICMRA chair, she has played a key role in guiding the Coalition through a number of public health crises and challenges. Under her leadership, ICMRA has helped spearhead global efforts to strengthen regulatory cooperation and ensure alignment on important public health concerns, including responding to public health emergencies, such as COVID-19 and Mpox, antimicrobial resistance and supply chain integrity. The Coalition’s visibility and public awareness of its work, as well as the number of members, have grown significantly during this time.
ICMRA is a voluntary, executive-level entity of worldwide medicines regulatory authorities set up to provide strategic coordination, advocacy and leadership.