Final EMA Budget for 2013 up 4.7% on Fees, Salary Expenses

The European Medicines Agency's (EMA) budget is set to increase for at least the third year in a row, thanks in large part to an expected increase in fees collected from the pharmaceutical industry.

The rise is revenues is supported the most by an expected increase in the number of fees payable to the agency, set by (EC) No. 1905/2005. EMA expects to collect €179.8 million in 2013, compared to €173.1 million in 2012 and just €151.2 million in 2011.

Other parts of the agency's budget are expected to stay largely static. EU contributions, for example, will increase slightly from €38.8 million to €39.2 million. Miscellaneous income is expected to increase from €8.9 million to €10.8 million.

In all, EMA expects to spend €231,560,000 in 2013-a 4.07% increase in its budget relative to the year prior.

The agency's increased budget will be going toward several main areas. EMA will spend an additional €2.33 million on base salaries for its staff and another €7 million on "salary weightings"-typically defined as the value added to a base salary for additional qualifications (education, experience, etc).

The finalized budget document may be found online on EMA's website.