Abstract

The product management service (PMS) application programming interface (API) went live in beta on 12 June 2026, letting companies query their submitted data directly rather than waiting for the European Medicines Agency (EMA) to flag gaps. Most companies have treated the identification of medicinal products (IDMP) as a data collection exercise reacting to what each deadline mandates. A live, continuously queried API changes that: it exposes ongoing data quality (rather than just one-time submission accuracy), making an established governance operating model essential rather than optional.

This article looks at the challenges encountered across various IDMP implementations, including why the identification of the right vendor platform for substances, products, organisations and referentials (SPOR) synchronisation is not enough on its own, why even well-invested platforms still produce inconsistent data without clear ownership, and why the December 2026 deadline raises the stakes on data quality. Finally, it offers companies operating in the EU region practical tips to ensure they are fully prepared for the forthcoming IDMP timelines.