Chancellor’s £10m boost to the MHRA aims to fast-track drug approvals through international collaboration.

Chancellor Jeremy Hunt has committed £10 million in funding to the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), aiming to expedite the approval process for new drugs in the UK. This funding will help the MHRA establish quicker approval pathways in collaboration with trusted global regulators such as those in the USA and Japan.

Under the new initiative, drugs already approved by these international regulators could receive swift approval for use in the UK, potentially allowing for “near-automatic” sign-off. The MHRA intends to create new “recognition routes” with the US and Japan, allowing these regulators’ decisions to fast-track drug availability in the UK.

Hunt announced that this funding will also be used to develop a more efficient approval process for cutting-edge treatments developed in the UK, aiming to solidify the UK as a leader in global medical innovation. He explained, “We are fortunate to have the MHRA, one of the world’s most respected regulators, and this funding will allow us to build the fastest, most straightforward approval system for medicines and technologies in the world.”

The £10 million boost will enable the MHRA to create a faster process for getting high-quality medical products approved, improving access to groundbreaking treatments, including those for cancer and mental health conditions. It is hoped that these changes will not only benefit UK patients but will also help attract global companies to develop their products in the UK.

Richard Torbett, CEO of the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI), welcomed the support for the MHRA, emphasising that the faster approvals and global collaboration would significantly help pharmaceutical companies bring new treatments to UK patients.

Following Brexit, the UK has faced challenges in streamlining drug approval processes, but these new plans aim to mitigate regulatory barriers by recognising decisions made by trusted international authorities. Life sciences expert Alison Dennis from Taylor Wessing stated that this approach will make it easier for medicines and devices to enter the UK market, given that the UK is a relatively small market outside of the EU.

Dr June Raine, CEO of the MHRA, expressed enthusiasm for the new funding, which she believes will help bring cutting-edge treatments to UK patients more quickly. “This investment will ensure that we can continue our work in innovating and accelerating access to world-class medical products,” she stated.

Health Secretary Steve Barclay added that the funding would help fast-track treatments, including new cancer vaccines and artificial intelligence-driven therapies, ensuring the UK remains at the forefront of medical innovation.

The new system is expected to streamline the approval of medicines already vetted by regulators in other countries, freeing up resources for the MHRA to focus on more complex issues or situations where international approval has been slower for non-scientific reasons.