MFDS Makes First Entry into ICMRA Executive Committee... Summit to Be Held in Seoul in November

[Financial News] The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety is joining the core decision-making body of an international organization comprising major pharmaceutical regulatory agencies from around the world for the first time. In November, the organization's summit and general assembly will also be held in Seoul for the first time.
The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety announced on the 3rd that Korea's Ministry of Food and Drug Safety had been elected for the first time as a member of the Executive Committee of the International Coalition of Medicines Regulatory Authorities (ICMRA).
ICMRA is an international body at the heads-of-agencies level, comprising 43 drug regulatory agencies from 40 countries, including the United States, the European Union, Japan, and Australia, as well as the World Health Organization (WHO). It was established to strengthen cooperation on drug regulation among countries and to jointly respond to global health issues.
The Executive Committee is ICMRA's core decision-making body. It sets strategies and priorities for regulatory cooperation and determines the activities of major working groups and the agendas for summits.
The 2026–2029 Executive Committee will consist of 13 regulatory agencies from 11 countries, including Australia, the chair country, as well as Korea, the United States, the European Union, and Japan. Through this election, the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety will directly participate for the next three years in discussions determining the direction and key tasks of global pharmaceutical regulatory cooperation.
As a founding member of ICMRA, the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety has participated in major pharmaceutical regulatory issues, including responses to public health crises and the use of artificial intelligence (AI). In particular, its role in international regulatory cooperation has expanded since all regulatory functions in the pharmaceutical and vaccine sectors were listed on the World Health Organization's (WHO) Listed Authorities (WLA).
The Executive Committee will address key agenda items such as using advanced technologies like AI in regulation, promoting joint reviews between countries, and expediting the introduction of innovative new drugs. The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety plans to reflect Korea's regulatory experience and position in international discussions during this process.
The ICMRA Summit and General Assembly will be held in Seoul this November. This will be the first time that an ICMRA summit has been held in Korea. Heads of pharmaceutical regulatory agencies from major countries, including the United States, the European Union, and Australia, are expected to attend and discuss global pharmaceutical regulatory issues and directions for cooperation among countries.
Oh Yu-kyung, Minister of Food and Drug Safety, said, "This first entry into the Executive Committee is an achievement demonstrating the growing international trust in Korea's regulatory capabilities. Taking the November summit as an opportunity, we will share our regulatory experience and expertise and expand our role as a country leading global regulatory discussions."
Noh Yeon-hong, Chairman of the Korea Pharmaceutical and Bio-Pharma Manufacturers Association, said, "I hope that the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety will strengthen its leadership in global regulatory discussions and support the overseas expansion of Korea's pharmaceutical and bio industry. The industry will also work closely with regulatory authorities to help the pharmaceutical and bio industry make a global leap forward."

[email protected] Jeong Sang-hee Reporter