Europe's generic drugmakers view challenges of national regulatory agencies

In its on-going effort to encourage cooperation and improve regulatory procedures in the region, the European Generic medicines Association (EGA) is holding its 6th EGA South East Europe Symposium in Vrsac, Serbia. This year’s symposium has been organized under the auspices of the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Serbia in cooperation with the Serbian Medicines and Medical Devices Agency (ALIMS), with technical support from the Association of Local Manufacturers of Medicinal Products and the leading Serbian generic medicines manufacturer Hemofarm.

Amongst the 200 delegates attending the symposium are top-level representatives from the medicines authorities and major generic medicine manufacturing companies throughout the region, including Albania, Bulgaria, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Hungary, Kosovo under UNSCR 1244, Macedonia, Montenegro, Romania, Serbia, Slovenia, and Turkey.

In his opening speech, EGA director general Greg Perry emphasized that the significant participation at this year’s symposium was a reflection of the region’s eagerness to work jointly on issues of common European interest and its commitment to sustainable, quality health care. Mr Perry continued saying: “The fact that many of you are gathered here in Vrsac speaks clearly of your genuine interest in pursuing broader levels of regional cooperation and of the interest of aligning with the EU regulatory framework in the field of generic medicines.”