EMA has most advanced policies on conflict of interest issues, says ECA report

A review by the European Court of Auditors of the management of conflicts of interests in four independent agencies of the European Union found that the European Medicines Agency has some of the most advanced policies and procedures for declaring, assessing and managing potential conflicts of interests in place.

The report, which is based on policies and rules in place a year ago when the Court began its work, also makes a number of recommendations, many of which have already been implemented but noting that there is some scope for further improvements.

Guido Rasi, the EMA's executive director, said that the Agency "is committed to continuous review and improvement of its handling of conflicts of interests. We will look carefully at the recommendations of the Court, together with the European Commission, the other EU agencies and our national counterparts in the European medicines network."