The Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA), together with the Minister for Health, Simon Harris TD, is pleased to announce that the World Health Organisation (WHO) has confirmed Ireland as the location for the next ICDRA conference which takes place in September, 2018. This WHO global event provides regulatory authorities with a unique forum to meet and discuss ways to strengthen global collaboration in the area of medicines’ regulation. It also provides the WHO and regulators with an opportunity to enhance their efforts to harmonise processes to improve the quality, safety and efficacy of medicines.
It is anticipated that the conference, which will be held over the course of five days from 3 to 7 September, will attract more than 300 delegates from up to 100 countries worldwide. While the final three days of the ICDRA are reserved for delegates from regulatory authorities, the initial two days are also open to industry participants and other interested stakeholders.
The website, www.icdra2018.ie, includes information on registration and on the conference programme and venue.
The Agenda is now available here
Welcoming the awarding of the ICDRA 2018 to Ireland, Minister Harris stressed the critical importance of ensuring global access to safe medicines.
“Ireland is proud to be able to contribute to the agenda of strengthening medicines regulation and to contribute to improved global health. While it is recognised that there are many challenges to ensuring adequate and appropriate access to safe medicines, the ICDRA is an important and valued opportunity for the WHO and drug regulatory authorities worldwide to examine and address these myriad challenges in a collaborative way.”
According to Ms Lorraine Nolan, Chief Executive of the HPRA, as the national regulatory authority for medicines, the agency is delighted and honoured to host the WHO ICDRA in Dublin.
“The HPRA looks forward to welcoming our international colleagues to this conference which is the largest event of its kind worldwide. Timely access to safe and effective medicines is one of the key cornerstones of health care systems and we welcome the opportunity to support the WHO in its efforts to enhance healthcare and medicines’ regulation globally, particularly in low and middle income countries.”
ENDS
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:
Weber Shandwick PR (01) 679 8600
Siobhan Molloy/Jo Twamley (086) 817 5066 / 085 143 8320)
ABOUT THE HEALTH PRODUCTS REGULATORY AUTHORITY
The Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) protects and enhances public health and animal health by regulating medicines, medical devices and other health products. The products under its remit include human and veterinary medicines, medical devices, blood and blood components, tissues and cells, organs for transplantation and cosmetics.