Icelandic Medicines Agency
Policy and values
The Icelandic Medicines Agency’s vision is to be a leading force in the health and welfare of society.
Strong image and active communication
The Icelandic Medicines Agency emphasises the communication of objective information based on the latest knowledge at any given time, as efficiently as possible using the technology available. The motto is Quality, Trust, Service.
Strong infrastructure
The foundation of strong infrastructure is an efficient organisational structure, where the right person is in the right role and streamlining of work is used as a guiding principle. This also includes having the tools and equipment required by current technology, giving staff the opportunity to deliver their best.
Attractive workplace
The Icelandic Medicines Agency employs capable and well-educated staff with the experience required for the Agency’s diverse tasks. The Icelandic Medicines Agency is a family-friendly workplace where emphasis is placed on work-life balance. All staff receive the same pay and terms and conditions for the same work or work of equal value, as the Agency has obtained equal pay certification.
Streamlined operations
In operations based on streamlining, efforts are made to identify and use work processes that deliver the best possible results as quickly as possible. Conversely, steps that do not benefit the task are identified, avoided and thereby save time and effort. The Icelandic Medicines Agency has used lean management in its operations for many years.
Digital agency
Public services without digital processes are unthinkable in our time. In recent years, the Icelandic Medicines Agency has worked systematically to activate and strengthen digital solutions, review procedures in order to offer automated processing, and communicate information online. The same also applies to internal work, including all types of data receipt, classification and processing, all with the aim of improving and accelerating services, reducing the likelihood of errors and lowering costs. Improvements are continuously being made using the technology available at any given time.
Strong domestic and international cooperation
International cooperation is an important part of the Icelandic Medicines Agency’s activities, and its staff work closely with sister agencies in the European Economic Area. This cooperation is reflected particularly in the work carried out at the European Medicines Agency (EMA) on the granting of marketing authorisations, the recording of adverse reactions and the supervision of companies and institutions that handle medicinal products. The Nordic agencies also have special cooperation aimed at strengthening the common interests of these smaller nations within European cooperation, ensuring the availability of medicinal products and increasing the efficiency of supervision.
Guiding principles
Quality
The Icelandic Medicines Agency emphasises that the Agency always employs well-educated, competent and informed staff and experts in medicinal products, in the assessment of the quality and safety of medicinal products, and in professional supervision of parties involved in pharmaceutical manufacturing, distribution and information dissemination. The Icelandic Medicines Agency offers a creative working environment, good working facilities, and opportunities for continuing education and professional development.
Trust
Reliability and disciplined working practices ensure safety and create trust among stakeholders. The Icelandic Medicines Agency aims to build stakeholder trust through effective information provision, consistency and reliability, respect, open communication and cooperation.
Service
The Icelandic Medicines Agency aims to provide stakeholders with the best professional service available at any given time in the granting of marketing authorisations for medicinal products, the provision of information on medicinal products, and guidance on applicable laws and regulations, so as to ensure that high-quality and effective medicinal products are available on the market. This is achieved through good access to information and guidance from the Icelandic Medicines Agency, access to leading experts and well-educated and trained staff, in close cooperation with health authorities, sister agencies in the EEA and the European Medicines Agency.
Last reviewed: 11th May 2026