The Heads of Medicines Agencies (HMA) is a network of the heads of the National Competent Authorities whose organisations are responsible for the regulation of medicinal products for human and veterinary use in the European economic area. The Medicines Authority is an active member of the Heads of Medicines Agencies Network.

Mission and Objectives

The HMA works to foster an effective and efficient European medicines regulatory system.

The HMA is coordinated and supervised by a Management Group.

It is also supported by several Working Groups, covering specific areas of responsibility, and by a Permanent Secretariat.

The HMA co-operates with the EMA (European Medicines Agency) and the European Commission in the operation of the European medicines regulatory network.

Main Activities

• Addressing key strategic issues for the network, such as the exchange of information and sharing of best practices.
• Responsibility for all areas of medicines regulation, including the mutual recognition (MRP) and decentralised procedures (DCP).
• Focusing on the development, co-ordination and consistency of the European medicines regulatory system.
• Supporting the network by providing high-quality professional and scientific resources.
• Focusing on the most effective use of resources across the network, such as developing and overseeing arrangements for work-sharing.

More information on the network is available on http://www.hma.eu/