Working Group of Communication Professionals (WGCP)

Introduction

The European Heads of Medicines Agencies (HMA) is a network bringing together the various national competent authorities (NCAs) for the regulation of human and veterinary medicines. In 2007, the HMA established a Working Group of Communications Professionals (WGCP) to help develop communications expertise, share good practice, help co-ordinate communications across the HMA network in a crisis, develop HMA’s engagement with its stakeholders and help develop and improve the website for the HMA.

Members and Representatives

The WGCP is attended by representatives from both medicines and veterinary bodies across the NCAs, EFTA states and the European Medicines Agency.
WGCP is currently chaired by MHRA, UK with an election every two years. Meetings are held two times per year, once per EU-presidency. The secretariat for the group is provided by the country hosting the meeting.

WGCP Mandate

To support the work of the European Regulatory medicines network (ERMN) in regard to public health and animal health and welfare, The HMA Working Group of Communication Professionals (HMA WGCP) shall foster the professional communication between ERMN, its stakeholders (e.g. patients, doctors, veterinarians, pharmaceutical industry, and healthcare professionals) and the general public (including the media). To this end, the HMA WGCP will establish and improve adequate communication channels within the ERMN.

WGCP activities

To help with the sharing of best practice, the WGCP has produced the following documents.

WGCP Contact point

Ms. Rachel Bosworth (Chairperson), MHRA, UK
E-mail: Rachel.Bosworth@mhra.gsi.gov.uk

• Principles to streamline information-sharing between communications professionals in HMA (November 2010)
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