EMA warns of absence of its experts during reorganisation

A major shake-up of personnel at the European Medicines Agency (EMA) is underway and the European Union (EU) agency has warned that its experts may miss outside meetings and conferences during this ‘significant reorganisation’.

EMA says it has begun ‘a review of its operations and processes, focused on increasing the efficiency of its scientific activities and information- and communication-technology operations’. This will involve ‘significant effort from scientific and support staff…over the next few months’ and hence restrict the availability of EMA ‘to contribute to external meetings and forums, probably until spring 2013’.

The agency says it will ‘cancel attendance by its staff, although participation by video- or teleconference may be feasible.’

‘The aim of this exercise is to improve our processes and how best to use our resources [so] we are better prepared for future legislative and policy challenges. I apologise in advance to event organisers for any disappointment,’ said Guido Rasi, executive director of EMA.