EDQM on Air

About EDQM on Air

EDQM On Air is a podcast on public health brought to you by the European Directorate for the Quality of Medicines & HealthCare of the Council of Europe. Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Publisher

EDQM - Council of Europe

Category

health & fitness

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

30 Sept 2024

Latest episode

23 Jun 2026

Latest episodes

10 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   23 Jun 2026

   Join the network: stories of the experts shaping the European Pharmacopoeia

   Have you ever stopped to think that there is a story behind every medicinal product you pick up at the pharmacy? In fact, there are thousands of stories, thousands of people – experts – who have devoted countless weeks, months and even years to ensure that the medicines you take are safe and effective. The European Pharmacopoeia (Ph. Eur.), which sets the quality standards for medicines in Europe, is the product of scientific rigour, dedicated exchange, passion and consensus among a vast network of scientific experts from all over the world who contribute their valuable expertise – whether in biologicals, herbal medicines, chemical analyses, or other pharmaceutical fields. In this podcast episode, you will hear from two of our experts: Gisela Fontaine, an analytical chemist from Switzerland; and Edward Bush, a scientist and pharmacopoeia specialist who joined the Ph. Eur. expert network more than 10 years ago. Join Sarah-Taïssir Bencharif – physician, health reporter and the host of #EDQMOnAir – as she explores their stories; from why they got involved and what they’ve learned, to why this work matters so much, not just for their careers but for patients all over the world. Are you an expert and want to learn more about the Network? Visit our dedicated Join the Network! (https://www.edqm.eu/en/join-the-network-) page. Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy (https://ausha.co/privacy-policy) for more information.

2. 

   20 May 2026

   Des savoirs anciens à la santé publique : aux origines de la Pharmacopée Européenne et de l’EDQM

   Vous êtes-vous déjà demandé comment la Pharmacopée Européenne avait vu le jour ? Et comment nous en sommes arrivé·es à un ouvrage de référence pharmaceutique unique, aujourd’hui largement utilisé dans toute l’Europe et au-delà ? Quelle est l’histoire qui nous a mené·es jusqu’ici et pourquoi est-ce important aujourd’hui ? Dans cet épisode, Pierre Leveau, Chef du Service de la Chaîne logistique de l’EDQM, et Charlotte Lenoir, Team Leader de l’équipe Gestion du cycle de vie de l’EDQM, nous invitent à remonter le temps : des premières traces des connaissances médicinales en Chine ancienne (2800 av. J.-C.) au papyrus Ebers, en Égypte – l’un des tout premiers efforts de systématisation des formules et traitements qui ont ouvert la voie aux cadres réglementaires assurant la qualité et l’innocuité des médicaments de nos jours –, en passant par les tablettes sumériennes de Mésopotamie – qui témoignent des premières tentatives de classification et de standardisation des remèdes. Tout au long de la discussion, vous apprendrez pourquoi la médecine est passée de la tradition orale à la forme écrite : pour permettre une diffusion plus vaste des connaissances, prévenir la falsification et assurer la sécurité des patientes et patients. Vous découvrirez aussi ce qui a motivé les pays à élaborer des textes officiels – y compris des règles de contrôle des médicaments – que les apothicaires devaient respecter. Enfin, au fil des évolutions politiques et des déplacements de frontières, le besoin d’échanger des médicaments en période de crise a transformé la vision de normes communes en une action collective concrète et a ainsi posé les fondations d’un ouvrage de référence unique, qui contribue directement à la sécurité de millions de personnes en Europe et au-delà : la Pharmacopée Européenne. Retrouvez Sarah-Taïssir Bencharif, médecin, journaliste de santé et hôte du podcast #EDQMOnAir (https://www.coe.int/fr/web/portal/edqm-on-air-podcast), pour explorer les grandes étapes de cette évolution fascinante. Have you ever wondered how the European Pharmacopoeia came into being? How did we arrive at a single pharmaceutical reference work now used so widely across Europe and beyond? What is the story that led us here? In this episode, Pierre Leveau, Head of the EDQM Supply Chain Department, and Charlotte Lenoir, the EDQM’s Information Lifecycle Management Team Leader, take us on a journey through time: from accounts of medicinal knowledge in ancient China (2800 BCE), through Sumerian tablets in Mesopotamia showing early attempts to classify and standardise remedies, to Egypt’s Ebers Papyrus, one of the first efforts to systematise formulas and treatments. Along the way, we learn why medicine moved from oral traditions to the written word – to disseminate knowledge more widely, prevent falsification and ensure patient safety – and what motivated countries to develop official texts – including rules for testing medicines – that apothecaries were required to follow. Finally, as politics evolved and borders shifted, the need to exchange medicines in times of crisis transformed the vision of “common standards” into concrete collective action, laying the foundations for what we know today as the European Pharmacopoeia. Join Sarah-Taïssir Bencharif, physician, health reporter and the host of #EDQMOnAir (https://www.coe.int/fr/web/portal/edqm-on-air-podcast), as she explores the milestones that shaped this remarkable journey. Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy (https://ausha.co/privacy-policy) for more information.

3. 

   19 Jun 2025

   A win for animals – Phasing out the rabbit pyrogen test

   Gwenaël Cirefice and Emmanuelle Charton discuss the EDQM's successful efforts to remove the rabbit pyrogen test from the European Pharmacopoeia, highlighting a major win for animal welfare in pharmaceutical testing in this interview.

4. 

   19 May 2025

   The OMCL Network – A story of collaboration for safe and good quality medicines

   We take it for granted that the medicines we take are safe and of good quality, but few know exactly how the EDQM contributes to making this a reality. For the past 30 years, the European Network of Official Medicines Control Laboratories (OMCLs) has conducted independent quality control testing of medicinal products for human and veterinary use throughout, covering their entire life cycle. That means not only strict testing before they reach the market, but also market surveillance once they are on the market to detect any risk of defective or falsified medicines. In this episode, Michael Wierer, who has been working to build the OMCL Network since its inception, will present this tireless effort to ensure that patients in Europe have access to safe, good quality medicinal products. We’ll explore its history and achievements and investigate why it matters so much for public health. Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy (https://ausha.co/privacy-policy) for more information.

5. 

   24 Mar 2025

   Biologicals in the European Pharmacopoeia – From vaccines to cutting-edge innovations

   Biological medicinal products – or biologicals – are a class of pharmaceutical products derived or refined from biological sources including micro-organisms, animal tissue and even human cells. These extremely powerful and versatile medicines are at the cutting-edge of pharmaceutical science and have contributed to major breakthroughs in the treatment of smallpox, diabetes and haemophilia, as well as to promising innovations such as CRISPR-Cas9 technology and CAR T-cell therapies, making us stronger in the fight against disease. But how did we get to this point? What were the first biologicals, and how have they evolved over time? What safety concerns arise from their use? In this episode, Emmanuelle Charton from the EDQM’s European Pharmacopoeia Department walks us through the history of biologicals, from the first vaccines to the latest Nobel Prize-winning innovations. Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy (https://ausha.co/privacy-policy) for more information.

6. 

   24 Feb 2025

   AI in public health – Innovations, ethics and the road ahead, with Eric Sutherland

   Artificial intelligence (AI) is a source of great hope in healthcare. Properly applied, it has the potential to analyse images and data faster and more accurately than human beings. Its ability to perform administrative tasks can also free up medical professionals to dedicate more time to their patients. But AI comes with certain risks. What data is being used? Can AI respect privacy when handling personal health data? Can we really entrust our health to machines? The EDQM’s 60th anniversary conference (https://www.edqm.eu/en/11-12-june-2024-celebrating-60-years-of-excellence-in-public-health-protection), held on 11-12 June 2024, featured talks and discussions on a wide range health topics, including from Eric Sutherland, Senior Health Economist at the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). In this episode, Eric shares his insights into the developing field of AI in healthcare, addressing topics such as digital health, policy guidance and responsible analytics. Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy (https://ausha.co/privacy-policy) for more information.

7. 

   27 Jan 2025

   EDQM and COVID-19 – Rising to the challenge of a global crisis

   The SARS-CoV-2 virus, which causes COVID-19, triggered a global pandemic on a staggering scale in 2020. In the course of just a few months, it brought entire societies to a near standstill with trade, travel, transportation and countless other vital sectors deeply impacted. Public health systems worldwide bore an enormous burden and were stretched to the limit. The pharmaceutical industry scrambled to develop treatments like antivirals and vaccines to avert worst-case scenarios and prevent the spread of the virus. The pandemic highlighted just how important the EDQM’s mission is to ensure high standards in public health protection. Due to the resourcefulness of its staff and its extensive networks of experts, partners and stakeholders, the EDQM played a crucial role in the fight against COVID-19. In the episode, Catherine Milne, Gwenaël Cirefice and Pierre Leveau from the EDQM explain how. Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy (https://ausha.co/privacy-policy) for more information.

8. 

   30 Sept 2024

   Protected every step of the way – The work of the EDQM on consumer health protection

   Picture this scene: Chloe and her daughter, Sarah, are preparing for a relaxing Sunday in the park. They pack a picnic, put on sunscreen and head out. Chloe recently got a tattoo, so she was careful not to expose it to the sun. After a nice day out, they head back home. Sarah plays with her toys and Chloe takes a relaxing bath, using her favourite skincare products. Do either of them know that the EDQM, thanks to its consumer protection activities, was looking out for them every step of the way? From food contact materials and cosmetics to tattoo inks and special guidelines to protect children, the EDQM strives to protect consumers from toxic and unsafe substances. François-Xavier Lery, Head of the EDQM Pharmaceutical and Consumer Care Section, tells us how. Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy (https://ausha.co/privacy-policy) for more information.

9. 

   30 Sept 2024

   Together for better health – Working with national and international bodies

   This episode showcases the relationship between the EDQM and its national and international stakeholders, how they work together for the protection of public health and what the real-life results of that co-operation are. Four guests, active in the EDQM constellation of health sector bodies and networks, present different aspects of this work: Salvador Cañigueral, Chair of the European Pharmacopoeia Commission (https://www.edqm.eu/en/the-european-pharmacopoeia-commission), Massimiliano Conti, Chair of the GEON Advisory Group (https://www.edqm.eu/en/omcl-background-and-mission), Anne Garnier, Scientific Programme Manager in the EDQM’s European Pharmacopoeia Department, and Marie-Laure Hecquet, EDQM Policy Advisor. Their insider perspective on the European public healthcare landscape brings a complex system within easy grasp, helping us all understand how the EDQM is striving for better health, for all. Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy (https://ausha.co/privacy-policy) for more information.

10. 

    30 Sept 2024

    Transplantation – A story of hope and courage – Liz Schick

    EDQM on Air - Transplantation – A story of hope and courage Interview with Liz Schick Liz Schick, president of the World Transplant Games Federation (https://wtgf.org/), shares her deeply personal and truly inspirational story. Diagnosed with a life-threatening liver disease at 35, she found the courage to look for the good in a negative situation, not only recovering from a serious medical condition, but using the second chance life had given her to help other transplant patients of all ages. She discusses her reactions to her first diagnosis, the documentary a friend made of her pre- and post-transplant life, and what it means to her to keep active and do good in the face of adversity. She also shares her experience as a speaker at the EDQM’s 60th anniversary conference (https://www.edqm.eu/en/11-12-june-2024-celebrating-60-years-of-excellence-in-public-health-protection) in June 2024. Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy (https://ausha.co/privacy-policy) for more information.

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Spotify

5.0 / 5

5 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 16 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

20

Social presence

0

YouTube

0

Engagement

32