EMA Guidelines

European Medicines Agency - Regulatory guidance for marketing authorization across the European Union and European Economic Area.

210

Days CP Timeline

27+

EU Member States

eCTD

EU CTD Format

CHMP

Scientific Committee

EU Authorization Procedures

Centralized Procedure (CP)

EMA/CHMP

Mandatory for biotech, orphan drugs, HIV, cancer, neurodegenerative diseases. Results in EU-wide authorization.

210 days + clock stops

Decentralized Procedure (DCP)

RMS + CMS

For products not yet authorized in any EU state. Applicant chooses Reference Member State.

210 days

Mutual Recognition (MRP)

RMS + CMS

For products already authorized in one EU state. Recognition by other states.

90 days

National Procedure

NCA

Authorization in single member state only. Rarely used for new products.

Variable

Centralized Procedure Timeline

Pre-Submission

Scientific Advice

Optional meeting with CHMP for development guidance

Pre-submission Meeting

Discuss submission strategy and validate timeline

Parallel Scientific Advice

Joint advice with HTA bodies (EUnetHTA)

Submission & Validation

MAA Submission

Electronic submission via CESP or eAF

Validation

10-day validation of completeness

Procedure Start

Day 0 - clock starts for 210-day procedure

Assessment

Day 80 Assessment Report

Rapporteur and Co-Rapporteur initial assessment

Day 120 List of Questions

CHMP adopts consolidated list of questions

Clock Stop

Applicant time to respond (usually 3-6 months)

Day 180 Joint Assessment

Assessment of responses

Opinion & Decision

Day 210 Opinion

CHMP issues positive or negative opinion

EC Decision

67 days for European Commission decision

Marketing Authorization

Valid in all EU member states

Reference Documents

EMA Guideline on Bioequivalence

CHMP guideline on the investigation of bioequivalence

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Notice to Applicants Volume 2

EU pharmaceutical regulatory framework and procedures

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Key Legislation

2001/83/EC

EU Medicinal Products Directive

Reg 726/2004

Centralized Procedure Regulation

CTD Guidance

EU Module 1 Specifications

Vol 2A-C

Notice to Applicants

CHMP Guidelines

Scientific Guidelines

GMP Annex 15

Qualification and Validation

EMA Committees

CHMP - Human Medicines
PRAC - Pharmacovigilance
COMP - Orphan Medicinal Products
PDCO - Paediatric Committee
CAT - Advanced Therapies