EMA to Upgrade Its Databases Services

EMA will improve the search and data-output of its databases, supplying pharmaceutical manufacturers with tools on the ‘detection and analysis of signals on adverse reactions’ by 2015.

The European Medicines Agency announced that it will allow public access to its databases that contain information on the potential side effects of medicines. Its announcement follows criticism that EMA has been too secretive with such data.

The agency said it would start publishing monthly reports summarising information held in its EudraVigilance database for all medicines with central EMA authorisation. In addition, it will provide searchable reports for all medicines by the end of 2012.

EMA will further improve the search and data-output of these databases, supplying pharmaceutical manufacturers with tools on the ‘detection and analysis of signals on adverse reactions’ by 2015, subject to budget availability.