Europe provides a contrasting perspective to the global drug market that is not fully understood by colleagues around the world. The EuroMeeting provides a once-a-year opportunity to explain it all.

For example, EU healthcare regulation operates at both country and continent levels creating an environment full of complexity and subtlety. However, and some may say despite this, there is a highly successful pharmaceuticals market together with pioneering drug development activities and fair reward. The European Union enlargement has effectively integrated the eastern countries into this market. Successful clinical development has effectively consumed the available patient populations in Western Europe and taken full advantage of the new patient populations of the eastern countries. There is clear evidence of a willingness to implement IT solutions with varied level of success. At the regulatory level, EMEA has arguably spearheaded the quest for technology solutions with EudraVigilance and EudraCT databases as examples whilst competent authorities can point to their own successful implementations.

Accompanying this progress are certain regional complexities that are being addressed such as patient interests and confidentiality of records, freedom of information and evolving drug-device combination products. We encourage you to gaze into that crystal ball and predict the challenges of the next decade, aware of the key role Europe has on the global scene.

In Berlin, we will take our inspiration from the Reichstag and its concept of transparency. We will strive to bring this transparency to our own diverse activities to increase our mutual understanding and help define our common goals. The usual broad range of topics will be addressed with emphases on any European perspective or the contrasts that exist between countries and continents engaged in what is euphemously termed global development. In 2009 we will also expand our healthcare horizons by addressing the field of devices and medical technology.

Consider new concepts and perspectives and be bold, be controversial. Novelty is encouraged. As we encounter the disappearance of traditional boundaries, there lies before us the challenge to expand our horizons and work with new colleagues from unfamiliar disciplines. We should reflect upon the collapse of the Berlin Wall, achieved purely by human endeavour and determination and bring this spirit to the EuroMeeting 2009.

Theme 1
Auditing and Compliance

Theme 2
Regulatory Challenges and Controversies

Theme 3
Clinical Research Increased Complexity by Integration of Real Life Settings

Theme 4
Europe’s Role in Global  Innovation Theme on Epidemiology, PV, Risk Management and Postauthorisation Studies

Theme 5
Knowledge Management

Theme 6
Medical Device Drug Combination: The Medical Opportunities and Regulatory Challenges of the 21st Century

Theme 7
Project Management in a Changing Environment

Theme 8
Media, Society and Research: Understanding Shared Values

Theme 9
Future of Drug Development, Manufacturing and Globalisation: Important Trends and Hot Topics

Theme 10
Impact of Technology and Standards on Drug Development: Now Better, Safer and Faster?

Theme 11
Optimising Drug Development through Sound Methodology

Theme 12
Health Economics & Health Technology Assessments: What Can We Afford and What Not?

Theme 13
Preclinical-clinical Interface: How to Improve Success in
Developing Innovative Medicines

Theme 14
Personalised Medicine in Drug Development: Adding Value with New Tools

Theme 15
Generic Medicinal Products