On 3 and 4 April 2025, the Italian Medicines Agency (AIFA) hosted the first 2025 workshop of the Permanent Secretariat (HMA PS) of the Heads of Medicines Agencies (HMA). 

This is an important event for the strategic planning of the activities of the next six months, as well as for strengthening dialogue and collaboration between European regulatory authorities.

The HMA PS plays an essential role in the strategic execution of the activities of the HMA Management Group (MG) and the HMA Network as a whole, also working closely with the European Medicines Agency (EMA) and the EU Presidency of the day. By ensuring the consistency and continuity of the HMA work, the HMA PS is therefore instrumental in supporting an efficient and effective European regulatory network. 
The workshop, opened by AIFA’s President, Robert Nisticò, also saw the participation of María Jesús Lamas Días, Executive Director of the Spanish medicines agency (AEMPS), and of Momir Radulović, Executive Director of the Slovenian medicines agency (JAZMP), Chair and Vice-Chair of the HMA Management Group, respectively. 
“The Permanent Secretariat is a key link in the relations with the European network of Heads of Medicines Agencies, with the EMA and the EU Presidency of the day”, Robert Nisticò underlined. “It was a pleasure to host at AIFA the workshop of this group of young people who deal with strategic issues, such as reviewing and updating procedures, optimising resources, redefining the mission of the Permanent Secretariat itself to respond more effectively to the challenges we are all called upon to face. Their work takes place behind the scenes, but is crucial for ensuring that the HMA Network operates efficiently. The workshop – continued the AIFA President – has further strengthened collaboration and the sharing of ideas, experiences and knowledge, which is critical to foster networking.”

“I am pleased to participate in the HMA Permanent Secretariat 2025 Workshop organised by our dear colleagues from AIFA”, María Lamas, HMA MG chair commented. “This meeting underlines the commitment of European national medicines agencies to strengthen collaboration and ensure regulatory coherence. In the face of current challenges such as access to innovation, shortages, the adoption of cutting-edge technologies - including AI - and the need to streamline regulatory processes, we need to make the most of our network. The work of the HMA Permanent Secretariat is key to framing strategic discussions and ensuring smooth and close collaboration with our partners, the European Medicines Agency (EMA) and the European Commission.

I look forward to continuing and strengthening this unique collaboration with all agencies as we move forward together.”
“Addressing key questions and fostering interconnection between the HMA Management Group and the HMA Permanent Secretariat is essential for ensuring strategic alignment, operational efficiency, and continuous improvement of the regulatory network”, Momir Radulović, HMA MG Vice-chair underlined. “By prioritizing these elements alongside the broader activities of the HMA network, these discussions help maximize resource utilization, keep internal procedures up to date, and maintain strong governance structures. This collaborative approach not only supports the successful implementation of the HMA's objectives but also promotes consistency and continuity in a rapidly evolving regulatory environment.
The HMA PS team is composed of appointed international advisers from six medicines agencies: Amapola Claudia de la Cámara (AEMPS, Spain), Hannes Eintrei (SMPA, Sweden), Annalise Attard (MMA, Malta), David Obranovič (JAZMP, Slovenia), Birgitte Faber (DKMA, Denmark), and Marta Toma (AIFA, Italy).

During the two-day meeting, the discussion encompassed various topics, including the follow-up of the HMA working groups optimisation, an exercise launched in the previous months with the aim of rationalising the Network’s resources; the role and mandate of the Permanent Secretariat itself, as well as HMA internal procedures to ensure update and validity.

The workshop has been an important opportunity for collaboration and knowledge sharing. In addition, it has provided an ideal platform to come together, discuss strategic planning, execution on strategies and further strengthening of the collaborative efforts within the HMA Permanent Secretariat.