TOPRA delivers first training programme in Malta

Posted on 22/03/2018

TOPRA successfully delivered its first training programme in Malta for regulatory professionals from 12–15 March 2018.

In collaboration with the Malta Medicines Authority (MMA), which regulates medicinal products in this EU member state, a four-day programme of learning was delivered at the MMA’s headquarters at Malta Life Science Park. Over 40 delegates attended, of which around half were regulatory professionals working at the MMA, and half from local businesses established on the island. Delegates from other European countries such as Cyprus and Spain were also present. 

Attendees were given two levels of training: the basics (‘exploring’ in the TOPRA career pathway) and foundations (‘establishing’ in the career pathway). These were presented as the one-day “Essentials of EU Regulatory Affairs”, followed by a two-day “Introduction to EU Regulatory Procedures”.  On the fourth day, a “Train the Trainer” workshop was run especially for MMA staff delegates by former TOPRA President Bob Clay, together with long-term supporters of TOPRA Helen Erwood and Susan Botfield.

Honourable Dr Deo Debattista (pictured), Parliamentary Secretary for Consumer Protection and Valletta 2018, attended part of the programme and thanked TOPRA for making the training initiative such a success. He added that he appreciated the high quality regulatory science content delivered because maximising the effectiveness of drugs for patients reduces risk and pharmaceutical regulatory affairs plays a big role in helping to achieve that goal.

Andy Thornley, Regulatory Training Manager at TOPRA, said: “In discussions with the Malta Medicines Authority, we had learnt there was a significant need for continued education and training in regulatory affairs within the local healthcare product industry and for new staff at the MMA. We are therefore proud to have collaborated with the Authority to help deliver against this requirement. Initial verbal and electronic feedback from those who had attended has been positive, and TOPRA will be seeking to identify other learning gaps to help plan the delivery of further training in the future.”