Olga Solomon

European Commission

Olga Solomon is Head of Unit SANTE D.1 ‚Medicines: policy, authorisation, and monitoring’ of the European Commission.

Ms Solomon holds a degree in Chemistry from the University of Thessaloniki and a Master’s degree in Food Science from the University of Gothenburg.

Following her five years of experience at a prominent beverage company in Greece, she joined the European Commission in 2001. Over more than two decades, she has gained experience in the field of food safety, in areas such as food additives, enzymes, and food contact materials, and for the past 12 years in the area of pharmaceuticals.

Throughout her career, she has navigated complex stakeholder landscapes and negotiated with the European Parliament and the Council on proposals related to food and pharmaceuticals. In close collaboration with Member States and European Agencies, such as the European Food Safety Authority and the European Medicines Agency, she fostered fruitful partnerships. Beyond the European stage, her influence has extended to international forums. Notably, she successfully negotiated food standards within the Codex Alimentarius and spearheaded activities pertaining to bilateral and multilateral relations with global partners in the pharmaceutical field.

She has guided her team through preparedness and crisis management activities during crucial events such as Brexit and the COVID-19 pandemic, including the expedited authorisation of vaccines and therapeutics. One of her notable achievements lies in her pivotal role in shaping the Pharmaceutical Strategy for Europe. Moreover, she led the implementation of this strategy, including the adoption in April 2023 of a comprehensive package of proposals for the revision of the pharmaceutical legislation.