Authorities
Critical guidance for life science development
Six key agencies / organizations are based in Stockholm-Uppsala. In their different ways, they all contribute to the development of the life science sector in the region.
The Medical Products Agency (MPA) maintains a top position with the highest number of scientific assessments of medicinal products among Europe’s medical agencies. The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) and the Uppsala Monitoring Center (UMC) both work actively with global health challenges. Most national authorities have headquarters in Stockholm-Uppsala, including the National Food Administration (NFA), the Swedish Institute for Communicable Disease Control (SMI) and the National Veterinary Institute (SVA). All institutions welcome interactions with the private sector and universities.
MEDICAL PRODUCTS AGENCY (MPA)
The MPA is responsible for the authorization and control of medicines, herbal remedies, cosmetics and medical devices. It aims to ensure that individual patients and healthcare providers have access to safe and effective products, and that these are used properly.
EUROPEAN CENTRE FOR DISEASE PREVENTION AND CONTROL (ECDC)
ECDC’s mission is focused on infectious diseases and their outbreaks. A dynamic center of excellence, it provides information that actively supports the entire EU system and its Member States in their efforts to prevent and control infectious diseases.
UPPSALA MONITORING CENTRE (UMC)
UMC is a foundation charged with promoting the safer use of medicines worldwide. On behalf of the WHO, UMC collects and analyzes patient data from all over the world to identify early indications of problems related to drugs or their use. UMC also conducts research and method development, and provides services and products to governments and businesses in over 100 countries.
NATIONAL FOOD ADMINISTRATION (NFA)
NFA works in the interest of consumers by actively promoting food safety, probity (honesty in claims made about food), hygienic food handling and good eating habits.
SWEDISH INSTITUTE FOR COMMUNICABLE DISEASE CONTROL (SMI)
SMI is a government agency involved in contingency planning, knowledge building and sharing, monitoring, diagnostics and services, as well as support for quality and method development, related to communicable diseases. The authority provides advice and support to business managers in the country’s counties and municipalities. It also conducts some research related to its basic mission.
NATIONAL VETERINARY INSTITUTE (SVA)
SVA is a veterinary knowledge center specializing in animal diseases and pathogens and how they spread – between animals, humans and the environment. SVA is an expert agency under the Ministry for Rural Affairs.