The MHRA, or Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency, is the UK government agency that regulates medicines, vaccines, and medical devices. Its job is to make sure these products meet appropriate standards of safety, quality, and effectiveness before they reach patients in the UK.
The MHRA continues to monitor medicines and devices after they become available to the public. This includes overseeing how products are supplied, checking how they work in real-world use, and investigating possible safety concerns.
The MHRA also helps to support the development of new treatments by working with researchers, NHS organisations, and pharmaceutical companies. This work aims to make safe and effective medicines available to patients more quickly.
The agency runs the Yellow Card Scheme, which allows patients, carers, and healthcare professionals to report suspected side effects, adverse drug reactions, and safety problems with medicines, vaccines, and medical devices.
