National networks coordinated by Fimea to be merged from the beginning of 2026

Fimea will bring together the activities of the national networks it coordinates by combining them into a single wider network from the beginning of 2026. 

The aim of the merger is to achieve more effective cooperation to promote rational pharmacotherapy, the inclusion of medicines users, reliable medicines information and research related to these themes. 

Network cooperation in three different networks 

Fimea coordinates three national networks: The National Medicines Information Network, the Research Network for Rational Pharmacotherapy and Fimea’s Patient Advisory Board. The oldest of these, the National Medicines Information Network, was established in 2012. The networks involve a wide range of private and public actors, from official organisations to different educational institutions and from patient organisations to companies.

Each year, the networks have reached hundreds of actors at open events and influenced the development of the Finnish pharmaceutical sector. The networks have enabled multiprofessional discussions between different social welfare and health care actors, and representatives of medicines and device users have been able to participate actively in the exchange of information.

“It has been great to follow the active work within these networks and their commitment to cooperation in these matters. I would like to extend a big thank you to everyone for this, because we only can achieve results by doing things together,” states Director-General Eija Pelkonen.

Why are the networks being merged?

The increasingly scarce resources of private, public and third sector actors encourage the renewal of familiar practices. At the same time, significant national development and change projects are also under way, such as the national medicines data repository and the Kanta medication list.

“It is important to combine resources more efficiently, streamline the flow of information, and implement changes. The aim of the merger is to respond to the needs of the changing operating environment,” says Eija Pelkonen.

“We want to preserve the good practices and societal effectiveness of well-functioning networks. The customer and patient perspective will continue to be at the centre of the activities in the new network as well,” summarises Piia Vuorela, Chairman of the coordination group for the National Medicines Information Network. 

Current members to be involved in the preparation of the new strategy 

The organisations who are currently members of the network and their representatives will be transferred to the merged network from the beginning of 2026. The main objectives of the merged network for 2026 will be:

• to finalise and report on the actions and tasks of the separate networks,  
• to bring together the best practices and practices of the three different networks, 
• to develop a common strategy from 2027 onwards, and, 
• to plan joint activities and communications. 

Organisations that are not participating in the existing networks but are interested in the new network can register at the end of 2026 when the draft strategy is published for comments. 

Want to learn more about merging the networks? 

Subscribe to the newsletter for Fimea’s Patient Advisory Board, the National Medicines Information Network, or the Research Network for Rational Pharmacotherapy (in Finnish). We will also communicate about the merging of networks in these newsletters during autumn 2025.

From the beginning of 2026, the newsletters will be merged into one new newsletter that will include information on the networks’ events, happenings, and materials. When you subscribe to one of the three current newsletters you will also be provided information on the introduction of the new newsletter, you will be able to join its mailing list, and you will ensure that you are kept up to date on the activities of the networks. 

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