Press Release: Thursday 19 June 2025
MINISTERS FOR HEALTH CONGRATULATE DR LORRAINE NOLAN ON HER APPOINTMENT AS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE EUROPEAN UNION DRUGS AGENCY
The Minister for Health Jennifer Carroll MacNeill TD and the Minister for Public Health, Wellbeing and the National Drugs Strategy Jennifer Murnane O’Connor TD have congratulated Dr Lorraine Nolan on her appointment as Executive Director of the European Union Drugs Agency (EUDA).
Dr Nolan, who is currently Chief Executive of Ireland’s Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) was elected following a meeting of the EUDA Management Board in Lisbon this week. She will take up her role on 1 January 2026. The EUDA is responsible for contributing to EU preparedness to deal with the threat of illicit drugs, through monitoring, research and analysis.
Minister Carroll MacNeill said:
“I was delighted to support Dr Lorraine Nolan’s candidacy and I wish her well as she prepares to take on the challenging and exciting role of leading the EUDA to deliver its enhanced mandate and funding.
“She has served with distinction as the chief executive of the HPRA, providing strong leadership in the regulation of medicines and medical products during a period of significant transformation of the authority’s regulatory functions. Her vast experience in regulatory affairs and her impressive track record working within regulatory networks in the EU and internationally mean she is exceptionally qualified to lead EUDA.”
Minister of State for Public Health, Wellbeing and the National Drugs Strategy Jennifer Murnane O’Connor TD said:
“I extend my warmest congratulations to Dr Nolan on her appointment which recognises her exemplary management expertise. The EUDA, under Dr Nolan’s leadership, will have an important role in the development and implementation of the new EU Drugs Strategy. I look forward to engaging with Dr Nolan on how we can strengthen the EU response to the complex and evolving challenges of the drug situation, especially during the Irish Presidency of the EU in the second half of 2026.”