PDA Responds to the Novel Coronavirus Situation

Richard M. Johnson

doi:10.5731/pdajpst.2019.001118

Like me, you have probably been monitoring the developing novel coronavirus situation. We are all worried about the impact to our families and our communities. We are especially concerned about those whose health has been impacted, and all whose daily routines are being disrupted. Every day, we are busy checking the latest updates, so that we can assure we are taking appropriate steps to safeguard the health and safety of our global members and staff.

Our community has a unique challenge; while we are protecting ourselves and our community, many of you have the responsibility to continue to provide critically needed healthcare products. On behalf of PDA, we want to thank you for your efforts!

Some of the actions that PDA and our partners are taking include:

Close and regular monitoring of the situation, adherence to recommendations from global regulatory bodies and official travel warnings.
Rescheduling the 2020 PDA Annual Meeting to July 20–22 at the same venues. The subsequent 2020 PDA Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Data Science Workshop will be held July 23. Annual Meeting training courses will now be held July 23–24. All existing registrations will be transferred to the new dates without penalty.
Rescheduling training courses scheduled for April at the PDA Training and Research Institute (TRI) in Bethesda, Md.
Working with INTERPHEX to postpone the event (dates to be announced).
Expanding options for virtual attendance at upcoming meetings as an alternative to in-person attendance.
Accelerating the development of online and virtual training for our community.
Implementing a pandemic preparedness plan for our global staff, including expanding our Work from Home program, and assuring accurate and timely information according to CDC and WHO recommendations.

Regarding other upcoming PDA events in the United States and Europe, we will continue to monitor the situation and make additional announcements as the conditions require. If you have any questions, please contact us.

I also encourage our members to follow updates and announcements from their countries' public health agencies. WHO, EMA and the U.S. CDC, among others, are sources of additional information. A series of links are posted on the PDA website.

Please continue to check the PDA website, PDA Connector email, news uPDAte and PDA Letter for further information about the impact of COVID-19 on PDA activities.