What is the European Medicines Agency (EMA)
– and why is it important to you as a patient?
When we get sick or need to take medicine, we want to be sure that it works and that it is safe for us to use. The European Medicines Agency, also known as the EMA, plays a key role in ensuring this. The EMA works behind the scenes across the EU to ensure that medicines coming to market are thoroughly tested and monitored.
In this article, we will explain what the EMA does, how they work and how you as a patient can benefit from their work. We will do this in a way that is easy to understand so that you can feel well informed and confident the next time you take medicine.
What does the EMA do?
EMA stands for European Medicines Agency and is the official medicines agency of the European Union. It was established in 1995 to ensure that medicines in Europe meet high standards of safety, quality and efficacy. In short, this means that the EMA makes sure that medicines work as expected and that they don’t do more harm than good.
EMA’s tasks include:
- Authorising new medicines: Before a medicine can be sold in Europe, it must undergo a thorough evaluation by the EMA. They assess whether the medicine is safe and effective enough to be used by patients.
- Monitoring side effects: Once the medicine is on the market, the EMA monitors how it works and whether side effects occur. This helps them to detect and react quickly if something goes wrong.
- Scientific advice: EMA also provides expert advice to companies and researchers developing new medicines.
Why is EMA important for patients?
For us patients, the EMA is a guarantee that we can trust the medicines we take. When we buy medicines from the pharmacy, we can be sure that the EMA and their experts have already assessed that the medicine fulfils strict requirements.
An example of the EMA’s work in practice:
Imagine you have been prescribed a new type of medicine for your disease. The EMA has already ensured that this medicine has been thoroughly tested in large trials before it was authorised. They have also made sure that doctors and pharmacists know exactly how to use the medicine and what side effects may occur.
How to find the right information about medicines
It can be tempting to Google your medication if you have questions or concerns. But you need to be careful here. When searching online, you may end up on websites that do not provide accurate or complete information. Many times you may find leaflets written for doctors and healthcare professionals, which can make them difficult to understand.
Advice for those looking for information about medicines:
- Use the websites of the EMA or the Danish Medicines Agency: these sites provide accurate and up-to-date information about medicines.
- Read the patient leaflet in the medicine’s packet: it is written specifically for patients and is easy to understand.
- Ask your doctor or pharmacist: They are there to help you and can answer questions about your medicine.
How does EMA work today?
The EMA is a large organisation that brings together experts from across Europe. When assessing medicines, they utilise the experience and knowledge of thousands of scientists, doctors and pharmacists. In 2019, the EMA moved from London to Amsterdam, allowing them to adapt to future challenges.
Among other things, they have reorganised themselves in new ways to better handle an increasing number of tasks, such as
- New regulations for clinical trials.
- Better monitoring of medical devices.
- Managing data protection.
How does the EMA ensure the future of medicine?
Medical research and technology are evolving rapidly and the EMA is constantly working to stay ahead of the curve. They work with researchers and companies to ensure that new medicines are available to patients as quickly and safely as possible.
They also focus on innovation, such as treatments tailored to individual patients and the use of advanced technologies like artificial intelligence in medicine development.
EMA’s mission: Protecting public health
EMA’s main mission is to protect our health. Whether it’s treating the common cold or complex diseases like cancer, EMA works to ensure that we as patients receive the best possible treatment. They also monitor veterinary medicines to ensure animal health, which also has implications for public health.
Want to know more?
If you want to learn more about the EMA and their work, you can visit their official website at www.ema.europa.eu where you can find information about medicines, authorisation processes and much more.
By using EMA’s resources and information, you can feel more confident and well-informed when using medicines. It is part of their mission to ensure that we as patients receive the best treatment possible.