On May 23, at the European Medicines Verification Organisation’s (EMVO) General Assembly meeting, the NMVO Observers within EMVO’s Board for 2024 from the National Medicines Verification Organizations (NMVOs) were approved. Latvian Medicines Verification Organisation (LZVO) and its Chairwoman of the Board Inese Erdmane were re-elected as observers for the second consecutive year, representing the small countries group.
Additionally, the Polish Medicines Verification Organisation (KOWAL) and its leader Iwona McManus will continue representing the group of large countries, while the medium-sized countries group will be represented by Leonie Clarke from the Irish Medicines Verification Organisation, succeeding Kristina von Sydow of the Swedish Medicines Verification Organisation. Observers within the EMVO’s Board are elected for one year, the nomination and election of candidates is being entrusted to the representatives of the NMVO.
The General Assembly also confirmed observers for the Account and Budget Committee meetings, approved the 2023 annual report, and updated the budget for the next five years.
Isabelle Strepenne from the Belgian competent authority FAGG – AFMPS presented their work with end users and manufacturers, highlighting the use of the Alert Management System (AMS) for handling alerts and investigations. This system mandates the use of AMS for processing alerts, which, if not responded to by end users, are automatically forwarded to the competent authority for further investigation, with an average of 95-120 alerts per day. I. Erdmane appreciated the Belgian experience with AMS, recognizing its usefulness in facilitating inspectors' work.
Sonja Queirós, EMVO Chief Operating Officer, presented “Dispensing and quarantine policy survey” results showing varying national regulations on medicine dispensing and quarantine as well as involvement of NMVO and NCA in the alert investigation process.