Advisory Committees
Both the Authority and the HPRA are supported by three Advisory Committees. The Advisory Committees are:
1. The Advisory Committee for Human Medicines
2. The Advisory Committee for Medical Devices
3. The Advisory Committee for Veterinary Medicines
The statutory role of the Advisory Committees is to provide advice in cases where it is proposed to refuse to grant a licence for a medicinal product on any grounds relating to its safety, quality or efficacy. Further information about each Advisory Committee, including each committees mandate, can be found in the individual Advisory Committee terms of reference documents, links to which are included below.
Each Advisory Committee is made up of independent members whose expertise relates to the focus area of the committee they are a member of. Members of the Advisory Committee for Human Medicines and the Advisory Committee for Medical Devices are appointed by the Minister for Health. Members of the Advisory Committee for Veterinary Medicines are appointed by the Minister for Health in consultation with the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine.
Each Advisory Committee is made up of between six and twelve members. Each has its own Chairperson who, as well as being a member of the committee, is also a member of the HPRA Authority. The Advisory Committees meet on average twice a year, at intervals determined by the committee members as well as pending business.
The Advisory Committees may appoint sub-committees to support them in carrying out their functions.
Advisory Committee Members
Advisory Committee for Human Medicines
The current members of the Advisory Committee for Human Medicines are:
- Chair - Dr. Suzanne Kelly
- Prof. Brian Cleary
- Professor Paul Gallagher
- Ms Fionnuala King
- Prof. Fionnuala Ni Ainle
- Ms Margaret O’Doherty
- Dr Michael McCarthy
- Ms Lorraine Schwanberg
- Professor Peter Greally
Advisory Committee for Medical Devices
The current members of the Advisory Committee for Medical Devices are:
- Prof. Richard Reilly (Chair)
- Prof. Robert Byrne
- Dr Ger Flynn
- Dr Vida Hamilton
- Dr Fergal McCaffrey
- Dr Tanya Mulcahy
Advisory Committee for Veterinary Medicines
The current members of the Advisory Committee for Veterinary Medicines are:
- Dr Joe Collins (Chair)
- Dr Abina Crean
- Dr Patrick Paul Corkery
- Dr Caroline Garvan
- Dr John Gilmore
- Dr David Graham
- Dr Andrew Hillan
- Dr Orla Keane
- Dr Edward Malone
- Dr Bryan Markey
- Dr Kevin Murtagh
- Ms Emer O'Reilly
Audit and Risk Committee
In addition to the Advisory Committees, the Authority and the HPRA are also supported by an Audit and Risk Committee which was established by the Authority to assist in issues of risk, control and governance.
The Audit and Risk Committee assists and advises the HPRA in relation to matters regarding:
- Review of annual financial statements and monthly management accounts
- Review of annual budgets
- Internal and external audit
- Procurement and tendering
- Risk, internal control and governance
The current members of the Audit and Risk Committee are:
- Mr David Holohan (Chair)
- Mr Brian Jones
- Prof. Sharon O’Kane