Emer Cooke, MS, MBA World Health Organization (WHO)

In November 2016, Emer Cooke was appointed as Head of Regulation of Medicines and other Health Technologies with the World Health Organization (WHO) in Geneva. In this role, Ms Cooke is responsible for leading WHO's global work on regulation of health technologies (medicines, vaccines, diagnostics and devices), coordinating the regulatory teams (Norms and Standards, Prequalification, Regulatory Systems Strengthening, and Safety), and working with member states and international partners to assure the quality, safety and efficacy of appropriate health technologies.

During the period of 1985 to 1988, she worked in a number of positions within the Irish pharmaceutical industry before joining the Irish drug regulatory authority as a pharmaceutical assessor in 1988. In 1991, she joined EFPIA, the European pharmaceutical industry association as Manager of Scientific and Regulatory Affairs. In September 1998, she joined the Pharmaceuticals unit of the European Commission and in July 2002, she joined the European Medicines Agency as Head of Sector for Inspections. Towards the end of 2008, Emer was appointed to the post of newly created International Liaison Officer for EMEA. In July 2012, Emer Cooke was appointed Head of Sector of the International and European Co-operation Sector. In September 2013, her title was changed to Head of International Affairs in the context of EMA’s reorganization and remained in this position until November 2016.

Ms Emer Cooke obtained her degree in Pharmacy from Trinity College, Dublin in Ireland. She obtained her Masters degree in Science from Trinity in 1985, specializing in Pharmaceutical Chemistry and also a Masters degree in Business Administration from Trinity in 1991.