MHRA Board meets in Scotland for first time, reinforcing UK-wide health priorities

The Board of the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has met in Scotland for the first time, marking a significant step in the agency’s approach to delivering health and innovation priorities across the UK. Held at the Royal College of Surgeons in Edinburgh, the world’s oldest surgical college, the meeting gathered key figures […]

The Board of the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has met in Scotland for the first time, marking a significant step in the agency’s approach to delivering health and innovation priorities across the UK.

Held at the Royal College of Surgeons in Edinburgh, the world’s oldest surgical college, the meeting gathered key figures from healthcare and government, including Chief Pharmaceutical Officer Alison Strath and Head of the Chief Medical Officer’s Policy Division Greig Chalmers.

MHRA’s new CEO Lawrence Tallon joined MHRA Chair Professor Anthony Harnden and other board members as they engaged with Scottish representatives to discuss the agency’s commitment to advancing healthcare in Scotland.

The discussions provided an opportunity for the MHRA to listen to experiences and ideas from those in attendance, reinforcing its dedication to fostering collaboration across the UK’s healthcare landscape.

The meeting was part of a broader engagement programme, with MHRA officials also meeting Professor Cathie Sudlow, director of the University of Edinburgh’s Usher Institute, and Professor Alasdair Gray, NHS Lothian’s research and development director. Representatives from DataLoch and Research Data Scotland also participated.

Professor Anthony Harnden, MHRA Chair, said: “This isn’t just a change of location — it’s a meaningful step in our commitment to being a truly national regulator.

“The MHRA’s work serves the whole of the UK, and that means we must spend time in every part of it, listening, learning, and building partnerships rooted in mutual respect and shared ambition.”

The MHRA’s presence in Scotland underscores its commitment to regional health equality, ensuring innovative healthcare solutions benefit communities across the UK.