2010/11
MEMBERSHIP – continuing to grow and engage
JOINT PRESIDENT AND EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR STATEMENT In the twelve months since our last Annual Review was published, the healthcare sector has been subject to increasing pressures as the global economic situation has deteriorated. The possible effect of such pressures on our own activities was at the forefront of the minds of Board and staff when developing our strategy for the next few years. We knew that being responsive to changes in the external economic environment, and indeed in the specific regulatory environment, would be crucial to our continuing success and relevance to our members. Our strategic plan has five main objectives: to respond to the changing external environment; to respond to the changing regulatory environment; to increase our membership; to improve communications within and outside the organisation, and in all things to improve quality. This report of our activities will demonstrate that we have made significant progress in all these strategic aims. Our record-breaking 2010 Symposium in London, in partnership with MHRA, was an inspirational start to the TOPRA year, reminding us of the increasing breadth of responsibility of regulatory professionals. Our first-ever Awards ceremony reminded us of professionals that give innovative and inspirational support over a lifetime of service in regulatory affairs. The success of the ‘TOPRA In’ initiative has brought more members into direct engagement with us. Furthermore, for those who have new restrictions on time and travel, the introduction of the e-Basics course and the ability to network ‘virtually’ via our Special Interest (SPIN) Networks and Linked In groups has been invaluable as well as the ability to search our journal Regulatory Rapporteur on-line. Our daily news e-lerts, regular e-newsletters and TOP RA Job bulletins have supplemented the monthly information in In Touch, helping all members keep informed. In tough times, membership of a professional association is more important than ever: keeping knowledge refreshed, sharing information with others, building useful business networks, learning new skills, accessing career coaching services and most of all showing commitment to being the best you can be in a dynamic and challenging profession, are all benefits of TOPRA membership. We will continue to provide this service, and much more, in the years ahead. Zubair Hussain President 2010 -11
Lynda Wight Executive Director
Membership numbers continue to rise. In 2010, 451 regulatory professionals from all over the globe joined TOPRA. Over 300 members have joined TOPRA in the first eight months of 2011. In this period we welcomed our first members from Mexico, Mauritius, Taiwan, Ukraine and Ghana. The ‘TOPRA In....’ brand has been launched for local member groups, to allow TOPRA members to network and also reach out to their colleagues in the same country. Set-up meetings and some followon events have been held in Sweden, Ireland, Austria, Italy and Switzerland, with more planned in France, Germany, Czech Republic, and further afield. TOPRA In North America continued an active programme with the launch of ‘Essentials of EU Regulatory Affairs’ – a training programme for seasoned regulatory practitioners who need more understanding of the EU situation – and regional networking events. Co-operation with local groups in North America continued and collaboration with AAPS resulted in two successful TOPRA sessions at their annual meeting in New Orleans in November 2010.
IRELAND
AUSTRIA
I T A L Y
switzerland
VISION Supporting and promoting healthcare regulatory affairs. MISSION To be the professional organisation providing high quality education, training, information, support services and networking opportunities for those involved in all aspects of healthcare regulatory affairs, so supporting individuals in their career development and promoting the profession as a whole.
TOPRA AWARDS FOR REGULATORY EXCELLENCE
A glittering ceremony celebrated the very best in regulatory affairs. The eminent judging panel drawn from industry, agencies and academia had considered an encouraging field of nominations and made their choices of the winners in five categories. For 2011 the Awards have been expanded to include two new categories that further celebrate the breadth of regulatory activity: Communication and Education. New judges from the education, business and patient sectors have been added to the prestigious panel. Sponsorship from Samarind, Thomson Reuters and NDA Regulatory demonstrates recognition of the importance of regulatory affairs in healthcare. The 2011 winners will be announced at a ceremony in November 2011.
Horizon Winner Sakshi Chhabra
Inspiration Winner Jonathan Trethowan
Innovation Winner Samarind RMS
Support Winner RRG Consultancy
AWARDS and HONOURS – celebrating the best in the regulatory profession The President’s Award to the Board member making the most significant contribution for the year 2009-10 was awarded to Margareth Jorvid at the 2010 Annual meeting. The award for 2010-11 will be presented to Prof Paolo Biffignandi at the 2011 Annual meeting. Honorary Life Membership of TOPRA for service to TOPRA and/or the wider regulatory community was awarded in 2010 to Rick Clayton (IFAH), Irene Sacristan Sanchez (EU Commission), Ann O’Connor (IMB) and Gabi Disselhoff. In early 2011 this honour was also bestowed on Dr Susanne Ludgate (MHRA), Prof Steve Dean (VMD) and Dr Peter Jones acknowledging their contributions to Medical Device and Veterinary regulatory affairs and to Dr John Purves, winner of the first TOPRA Lifetime Achievement Award. Past Presidents of TOPRA who also accepted this award in 2011 were Brian James, Cheryl Hall, Margareth Jorvid and Alan Hunter. In the year from October 2010, Fellowships were awarded to Ali Harrison, Jonathan Trethowan, Neil Armstrong, Alan Morrison and Hilde Viroux.
Achievement Winner John Purves
Distinguished Service Awards, for exceptional volunteer contribution to TOPRA, have been given to Steve Harston, Carlos Langezaal and Patricia Duchene. The TOP Team Award for 2010-11 was awarded to the 2010 Annual Symposium Working Party, chaired by Alan Hunter.
Students from the TOPRA MSc in Regulatory Affairs (validated by the University of Wales) and the MSc in Medical Technology Regulatory Affairs (Cranfield University and TOPRA) graduated at the TOPRA Awards ceremony in London in October 2010, at which they received their certificates from Professor Sir Alasdair Breckenridge, Chairman of MHRA. Other students graduated at ceremonies in Cranfield and Wales throughout the year. Admitted to the degree of Postgraduate Certificate in Regulatory Affairs:
Admitted to the degree of Master of Science in Regulatory Affairs:
Claire Ray Harriet Lugg
Kwame Ansah Christine Bugge Corinne PhilippeReversat Sam Tarantino Stella Augustus Melissa Whitlock Katherine Chorlton Rina Pankhania
Admitted to the degree of Postgraduate Diploma in Regulatory Affairs: Jonas Henningsen Susanne Alden Sarah Thorn Simon Hotchin Erin Brooks Graham Laker Ruth Lowth
Awarded the Postgraduate Certificate in Medical Technology Regulatory Affairs: Jeremy Allen Neil Purcell James Riddell Gunhild Paulsen
Admitted to the degree of Master of Science in Regulatory Affairs with Distinction: Ruth Curley Davina Stevenson Mateja Pfajfar Each year a special award is made to a student who is considered to have performed at the highest possible level in their studies the Veronica Skeffington Prize. This year it was awarded to Davina Stevenson Admitted to the degree of Master of Science in Medical Technology Regulatory Affairs: Deidre Barrow Hilde Viroux Hilary Mongey Ian Hooper Nicola Ann Bradley Mary Day Graham McLeod The Course Director’s Prize for the MTRA MSc went to Graham McLeod
ducatio
EDUCATION – supporting career development in a changing environment
CONFERENCES AND MEETINGS – keeping abreast of regulatory change
Highlights of the 2010 –2011 year have included... ● The Annual Symposium in London, including the Medical Devices Symposium and the Veterinary Symposium – with the support of MHRA – October 2010 ● The 5th joint meeting with EMA – December 2010 ● Launch of the Paediatric Network at EMA – March 2011 ● First Veterinary ‘Basics’ course – March 2011 ● In-house training at DG SANCO – March 2010
● The 16th Autumn Introductory Course in Prague – November 2010 ● The 33rd Spring Introductory Course – May 2011 ● Plus a full programme of Basics and CRED courses, special courses on e-CTD All TOPRA courses and meetings carry Lifelong Learning hours to allow attendees to build up their continuing professional development portfolio.
INFORMATION and COMMUNICATIONS – keeping members informed and connected Our Journal, Regulatory Rapporteur, had a redesign of its masthead and continued to develop as the leading peerreviewed journal of record and opinion in regulatory affairs. Our member newsletter In Touch brought monthly news to all members – with a web page for further news and views. Electronic communication via daily e-lerts from Pharma Times and TOPRA e-newsletters kept members informed about their organisation and the regulatory world at large. The TOP RA Jobs e-mail service proved very popular throughout the year. The TOPRA ‘Linked in’ Group of over 3,000 members offers an additional opportunity for information sharing and debate, with topics ranging from the need to have a group to support regulatory intelligence professionals, through CTA approval problems in Europe and GMP inspection experiences in Pakistan. Our Website developed throughout the year to include interviews with key regulatory figures, webcasts from important meetings, searchable back copies of the journal and e-learning opportunities.
Our second book was published and ’Careers in Regulatory Affairs’ joined ‘Evaluating Medicines’, available to purchase from TOPRA or via Amazon®. Media profile maintained with TOPRA appearing in 60 journals and on over 15 websites. Publications include features on pharmacovigilance, paediatrics and regulatory careers. e-learning Modules for the popular ‘Basics of Regulatory Affairs’ course were available from January 2011 for those who cannot attend face to face events. SPIN groups allow members to network with colleagues with similar interests through e-mail, teleconferences and webinars. Current SPIN groups include: CMC, Japan, Devices, Regulatory Intelligence, Biotech, Clinical Trials, Veterinary RA, e-RA and Pharmacovigilance.
groups
SPIN
Profit and Loss
for the year to December 31st
2010
2009
£
£
Turnover
2,123,531 2,111,499
Cost of sales
1,465,513 1,450,003
Gross profit
658,018
661,496
Administrative expenses
720,641
725,987
Operating profit/(loss)
(62,623)
(64,491)
12,361
(13,102)
(50,262)
(77,593)
32,282
35,349
(17,980)
(42,244)
Profit/(loss) on sale of investments/assets
Income from investments
Amounts written off/(back) from investments Profit before taxation Taxation Profit after taxation
(26,669) (113,202) 8,689
70,958
-
-
8,689
70,958
OUR PEOPLE TOPRA BOARD MEMBERS 2010/11
TOPRA HEADQUARTERS STAFF 2010/11
PRESIDENT
Lynda J Wight – Executive Director
Zubair Hussain (UK)
Neil Fisher – Director of Education and Training
PAST-PRESIDENT Paolo Biffignandi (Italy)
Steve Wratten – Director of Corporate Services
PRESIDENT-ELECT David Jefferys (UK)
Christopher Bailey – Regulatory Intelligence and Training Manager
EU REPRESENTATIVE Aine Kane (UK)
Erik Smit – Membership Development and Communications Manager Emma McNeely – Regulatory Training Executive (from June 2011)
NORTH AMERICA REPRESENTATIVE Monique Garrett (USA)
Patricia Philippi Marketing Executive (to May 2011)
DIRECTORS
Sarah Roberts-Purenins – Senior Conference Coordinator
Margareth Jorvid (Sweden) Angela Miller (UK) Patrizia Nestby (Netherlands) Niamh Lawler-Turner (Ireland)
Deanne Prudden/Natalia Lada – Training and Events Coordinator (to May 2011)
TOPRA ADVISORY COUNCIL MEMBERS 2010/11 Rolf Bass (Germany) Daniel Brasseur (Belgium, EU) George Butler (USA/UK) Kent Woods (UK) Noel Wathion (EU) Aginus Kalis (Netherlands) Jytte Lyngvig (Denmark) Markku Toivonen (Finland/UK) Tamas Paal (Hungary) Ann O’Connor (Ireland) Graham Higson (UK) Murray Lumpkin (USA)
TOPRA Board 2010/11
Jenine Willis – Director, TOPRA Publishing
our people
FINANCIAL ACCOUNTS
Michael Holzhauser-Alberti (France)
Lisa Gordon – Membership Coordinator
Kay Wood – Postgraduate Administrator Madeleine Meyer – Managing Editor Vincent Costello – Management Accountant Tania Eulitz – Assistant Accountant
Hayley King – Office Services Coordinator/Assistant Accountant (maternity cover)
The Organisation for Professionals in Regulatory Affairs Ltd Bellerive House, 3 Muirfield Crescent, London E14 9SZ, United Kingdom Tel: +44 (0)20 7510 2560, Fax: +44 (0)20 7537 2003, Email: topra@topra.org
www.topra.org