Nordic pharmaceutical conference brings together experts in Helsinki to discuss preparedness

Nordic pharmaceutical conference brings together experts in Helsinki to discuss preparedness

Preparedness and data-driven decision-making in the field of pharmaceuticals were the key topics of discussion at a conference organised by Finland in Helsinki on 30 September-1 October 2025 as part of its Presidency of the Nordic Council of Ministers.

The Working Group of Exchange of Information and Experience in the Medicinal Area (WGEMA) held its annual meeting on 30 September, and the following day, on 1 October, the WGEMA held a joint meeting with the Nordic Pharmaceutical Forum (NPF).

The WGEMA is a Nordic cooperation body for public officials, bringing together experts in the pharmaceutical sector to share experiences and good practices on the availability of medicines and their security of supply, production, marketing, pricing, assessment and use.

The two-day conference was chaired by Chief Specialist Merja Mustonen from the Biotechnology and Medicines Unit at the Finnish Ministry of Social Affairs and Health, who also chairs the WGEMA steering group this year.

Close Nordic cooperation

The topics discussed at the conference included EU pharmaceutical legislation, the availability of critical medicines, access to antibiotics and the use of data in decision-making.

The aim was to exchange best practices, intensify cooperation between the Nordic countries and improve preparedness, readiness and knowledge-based management for emerging challenges.

The COVID-19 pandemic and the tightening security situation in Europe have highlighted some of the key challenges in the Nordic countries, such as the availability and affordability of medicines, the sufficient production capacity for medicines and the need to resolve the environmental effects of antimicrobial resistance and medicines.

On the first day of the conference, the steering group and operational subgroups of the WGEMA had a meeting. The Finnish representatives in the subgroups include the Finnish Medicines Agency (Fimea) and Helsinki University Hospital (HUS).

"The Nordic countries engage in close and concrete cooperation. The Finnish Government Programme also recognises the growing importance of this cooperation. The NATO membership of all Nordic countries and closer civil-military cooperation further emphasise the importance of preparedness and readiness in the pharmaceutical sector," says Mustonen.

Preparedness and readiness

The second day of the conference focused on preparedness and readiness. The speakers included experts from Finland, Norway and the European Commission.

Topics of discussion included the availability of critical medicines, the stockpiling of medicines and the security of supply. The morning session was concluded with a panel discussion on how to further deepen cooperation between the Nordic countries. The conference also provided an opportunity to discuss the critical medicines act with the Commission.

Other items on the agenda included Nordic cooperation to combat antimicrobial resistance and improve access to antibiotics. The issue of access to antibiotics is currently being addressed by a Nordic working group that was appointed by the Council of Ministers to develop a guarantee model for improving access to antibiotics.

The afternoon was devoted to knowledge-based management and data-driven decision-making. Participants discussed how data could be used more efficiently when it comes to cooperation and decision-making in the pharmaceutical sector. In addition, they discussed the topic of managing pharmaceutical costs following the model of Sweden. The programme also featured a case-study presentation from Iceland on the overuse of ADHD medication.

Following the conference, Finland hosted a meeting on the health economics of medicines in Helsinki on Thursday 2 October.

Inquiries:

Merja Mustonen, Chief Specialist, tel. +358 295 163 116, merja.mustonen(at)gov.fi
Biotechnology and Medicines Unit, Department for Safety, Security and Health,
Finnish Ministry of Social Affairs and Health