Communities

A key benefit of joining TOPRA is to network with other regulatory affairs professionals from all over the world. Our communities provide members with an opportunity to exchange news, views and ideas and are segmented by region (International Networks or INs) and topic (Special Interest Networks or SPINs).  

TOPRA’s International Networks (INs) and Special Interest Networks (SPINs) contribute significantly to strategic and directional decisions as well as discussions on key issues and challenges faced by our industry. Our groups focus on specific topics and remain at the centre of decision-making processes.

These active networks of top regulatory affairs professionals provide our members with a forum to discuss news, views, common challenges and share ideas for transformation, innovation and best practice.

You can access them by logging in below or through our TOPRA Engage+ app.

 

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International Networks (INs)

Our International Networks (INs) support regulatory affairs professionals living and working in a country or region by providing a dedicated forum for discussion and sharing knowledge and information.

The purpose of the INs is to:

  • Develop a local TOPRA networking arm in individual countries 
  • Support TOPRA members living and working in a country and increase the membership community based there 
  • Work cooperatively with other not-for-profit or government organisations and relevant academic institutions 
  • Provide an industry sounding board and opportunity to explore key concerns and experiences 
     

    • Current INs


    Co-Chair: Frank Vandriessche

    Co-Chair: Paula van Hennik

    The Benelux IN group supports TOPRA members who live and work in Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg or have an interest in healthcare regulatory affairs topics relevant to the Benelux. The group was relaunched in 2024, and its vision, mission, objectives and governance principles were agreed in early 2025, which are aligned to those of TOPRA.

    Activities going forward will be enhanced in the following ways:

  • The steering group embers will work on, lead and be present at webinars which are accessible to all TOPRA members (non-member access is subject to a modest charge) and webinars are also available on-demand post-broadcast.
  • There will also be more frequent informal sessions accessible to TOPRA members to encourage networking opportunities.

    Topics that will be covered in 2025 include:
  • The Belgian Federal Agency for Medicines and Health Products (FAHMP/FAGG/AFMPS)
  • The Dutch Medicines Evaluation Board/College ter Beoordeling van Geneesmiddelen (MEB/CBG)
  • The Health Technology Assessment (HTA) Regulation and how it can impact at local company affiliate level
  • The impact of the Clinical Trials Regulation (CTR)
  • A Chemistry, Manufacturing and Controls (CMC) topic – tbc
    •  
    We will also be present at Regulatory Careers Live in Brussels, Belgium on 13 June 2025.


    If you are interested in becoming a steering group member please contact gloria.dwyer@topra.org.

     

     

    This IN group supports TOPRA members who are living and working in Central and Eastern Europe. The CEE group was established in 2020, and has members from Bulgaria, Croatia, Latvia, Romania and Slovenia. 

    The group has hosted a number of presentations since 2020 including:

  • EU drug & device regulations changes and country implementations (TOPRA Symposium and webinar, 2020).
  • Herbal medicines (2021)
  • Labelling for registered drugs (2022)
  • Regulatory Challenges in the CIS and Russia (2023)

    • Objectives for 2024 include organising a webinar on medicinal products registrations in non-EU Balkan countries,

    The group also aims to collaborate with other SPINs in the areas of MD/IVDR, CMC and labelling.

    Steering committee members 
  • Ekaterina Zareva Borcheva-Dancheva
  • Alenka Drazumeric
  • Tatjana Bekavac
  • Polina Dombure
  • Dobrinka Ouzounova
    •  
     

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    This IN group supports TOPRA members who are living and working in Germany, Austria and Switzerland.

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    This IN group supports TOPRA members who are living and working in France.

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    The TOPRA In India group aims to establish a platform for Regulatory professionals within India, whether residing or working there, to exchange knowledge and experiences.

    Comprising members from diverse backgrounds, the steering group convenes quarterly to facilitate various activities such as webinars and round table discussions. These initiatives offer valuable insights and opportunities for newcomers to regulatory affairs.

     

    We welcome suggestions for topics for future webinar topics and activities would like to see organised. If you are interested in becoming a steering group member please contact gloria.dwyer@topra.org. 

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    This IN group supports TOPRA members who are living and working in Ireland.

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    This IN group supports TOPRA members who are living and working in Scotland.

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    This IN group supports TOPRA members who are living and working in Sweden.

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    Upcoming TOPRA In events

    Start dateTitleDescriptionCityCountry
    13/05/2025Meet Representatives of the Belgian Agency, FAMHPMembers of the TOPRA IN Benelux Community Steering Group are pleased to invite you to a webinar during which representatives of the Belgian Federal Agency of Medicines and Healthcare Products (FAMHP) will present the current organisation and the key activities on which the Agency is focussing in line with its strategic business plan. The webinar will cover the key three divisions of the Agency: Directorate General (DG) Pre-Authorisation, DG Post-Authorisation and DG Inspection. OnlineBENMAY25
    22/05/2025Regulatory News - Pharmaceuticals / Medical DevicesThis evening is an excellent opportunity to hear the latest regulatory news for pharmaceuticals and medical devices. We will discuss the ongoing work with the revision of pharmaceutical legislation in Europe, information on update of the variation regulation and experiences with MDR and IVDR implementation. We also get to hear the latest about TOPRA. Open to anyone working with and interested in regulatory questions for pharmaceuticals and medical devices SwedenSWEMAY25
    10/06/2025What Regulatory Professionals Should Know About the HTARThe TOPRA IN Benelux Community Steering Group is pleased to present this webinar sharing the most important elements of the Health Technology Assessment Regulation (HTAR) in Europe for regulatory professionals. OnlineBENJUN25
    26/06/2025AI in Regulatory Affairs: Use & LessonsMembers of the TOPRA IN France Community Steering Group are pleased to invite you to explore practical AI applications in regulatory affairs. OnlineFRAJUN25

    Get involved

    We are developing more IN communities and if you would like to find out more or get involved with setting up a group, please email our membership team.

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