European Medicines Agency: approval of new glucose-lowering medicines for type 2 diabetes

Since 2005 all new glucose‐lowering medicines to be used in Europe have required approval by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) through a centralised procedure [1]. This involves assessment of a detailed file of data generated during the preclinical studies and phase 1‐3 clinical trials, along with the proposed product label. The file is subject to internal review and some aspects may also receive external review, giving rise to questions that are referred back to the sponsor and may lead to additional studies. The assessment is considered by the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) and if approval is recommended then a marketing authorisation is usually granted by the European Commission