Italian Medicines Agency Faces Turmoil with President’s Surprise Resignation
The Italian Medicines Agency, AIFA, has been thrown into chaos with the sudden resignation of its president, virologist Giorgio Palù. Just one year after a major reform was implemented, the agency is once again in turmoil as questions arise about who will replace Palù at the helm.
According to new regulations published in January 2024, in the event of the president’s absence, his functions will be temporarily carried out by a designated board member chosen by the Minister of Health. Another option is for the Minister to appoint a commissioner to lead the agency until a new president can be appointed by decree.
Palù’s departure comes shortly after the appointment of other key leaders at AIFA, including the administrative and technical-scientific directors. The board of directors, made up of members chosen by the Regions, the Ministry of Health, and the Ministry of Economy and Finance, now faces the challenge of finding a new president to lead the agency.
Speculation is rife about who will take over from Palù, with names like Marco Cavaleri and Guido Rasi being mentioned as possible candidates. Both have extensive experience in the field and could bring a fresh perspective to AIFA.
Palù outlined key objectives for his successor, including strengthening AIFA’s presence within European commissions, advancing pharmaco-economic data, and promoting biomedical-pharmaceutical research. The Minister of Health has expressed his commitment to finding a suitable replacement with a broad mandate to lead AIFA into the future.
As the search for a new president continues, the future direction of AIFA remains uncertain. Will it be a seasoned expert like Cavaleri or a familiar face like Rasi? Only time will tell as the agency navigates this period of transition and sets its sights on new goals for the future.