The Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency today announced new appointments and reappointments to some of its medicines advisory committees.
Mr Neil Mercer was appointed Chair of the Review Panel (RP) from 1 May 2013 for three years. The RP is an independent body that advises ministers on the classification and advertising of medicines and carries out independent reviews of licensing authority decisions.
Dr Jose Prieto-Garcia was appointed to the Advisory Board on the Registration of Homeopathic Products (ABRHP). He has been appointed as a member from 1 September 2013 for three years. The ABRHP is an independent body that works closely with the MHRA to advise UK health ministers on the regulation of homeopathic products.
Dr Paul Bremner, Professor Peter Hyland and Dr Heather Wallace were appointed to the Herbal Medicines Advisory Committee (HMAC) with effect from 1 September 2013 for three years. This committee works closely with the MHRA to advise health ministers on traditional herbal medicines.
Professor Paul Harrison and Dr Barbara Pendry have been reappointed as members to this committee from 1 September 2013 for three years.
All committee members receive a fee of £325 per meeting to cover preparation and attendance together with any travel and accommodation costs.
These appointments were made on merit and in accordance with the principles of the Code of Practice for Scientific Advisory Committees (CoPSAC) and the Code of Practice issued by the Commissioner for Public Appointments.
Notes to Editor
- The Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency is responsible for protecting and improving the health of millions of people every day through the effective regulation of medicines and medical devices, underpinned by science and research. The Agency consists of three centres: the Clinical Practice Research Datalink (CPRD), the National Institute for Biological Standards and Control (NIBSC) and the MHRA.
- The MHRA is responsible for regulating all medicines and medical devices in the UK by ensuring they work and are acceptably safe. Underpinning all its work lies robust and fact-based judgements to ensure that the benefits justify any risks.
- The medicines advisory bodies were introduced under the Medicines Act 1968. They provide advice to ministers on aspects of medicines regulation. In the public interest, ministers need the advice they receive on matters relating to the regulation of medicines and medical devices to be impartial. They also need to be able to seek such advice from a wide range of highly skilled professionals who are senior and well regarded in their respective fields and from a range of appointed lay and patient representatives.
- A number of independent advisory committees have been established to provide such an advice. These committees can also establish working groups to address specific problems. Members of these committees receive an attendance fee and are paid expenses.