EMA has published a draft reflection paper outlining the current thinking on the use of artificial intelligence (AI) to support the safe and effective development, regulation and use of human and veterinary medicines. This paper, which is now open for public consultation, reflects on principles relevant to the application of AI and machine learning (ML) at any step of a medicines’ lifecycle, from drug discovery to the post-authorisation setting.

The reflection paper is part of the 

joint HMA-EMA Big Data Steering Group (BDSG)

initiatives to develop the European Medicines Regulatory Network’s capability in data-driven regulation. It has been developed in liaison between the BDSG, EMA’s Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) and its Committee for Veterinary Medicinal Products (CVMP).

“The use of artificial intelligence is rapidly developing in society and as regulators we see more and more applications in the field of medicines. AI brings exciting…