Preparatory meeting for the 14^th International Conference of Drug Regulatory Authorities (ICDRA)
Geneva, Switzerland, 24-25 August 2009 

The International Conference of Drug Regulatory Authorities (ICDRA) is the only global forum for medicine regulators for all WHO Member States. It started in 1980 and regularly organizes biennial conferences facilitated by WHO. The last meeting, the 13^th ICDRA, took place in Bern, Switzerland, in 2008 and was hosted by SwisMedic—the Swiss Agency for Therapeutic Products.  

From 24 to 25 August 2009, the Regional Office preparatory meeting for the 14^th ICDRA took place at WHO headquarters. The meeting incorporated in the planning process regional and global perspectives on medicines regulation through the presence of Regional Advisers on medicines and senior staff from the Essential Medicines and Pharmaceutical Policies unit at WHO headquarters. The 14^th ICDRA will be held in Singapore, November 2010. Participation of regulators from the Eastern Mediterranean Region in the conference will be facilitated by the Essential Medicines and Pharmaceutical Policies unit in the Regional Office.  

The Eastern Mediterranean Drug Regulatory Authorities Conference (EMDRAC) is also being planned to be held during 2010 in Cairo. More details about this important regional event will be posted in due course.