Professor Anthony Harnden has officially started his role as Chair of the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).
In his first 100 days, Anthony's priority will be talking and listening to staff and partner organisations so he can gain a strong understanding of how to drive forward the strategic direction of the MHRA to maintain the UK as a global centre of excellence in life sciences, in the best interests of patients and the public.
Anthony will be particularly focused on helping the MHRA:
- Protect patient safety through robust safety surveillance systems
- Embrace risk-proportionate regulation
- Foster an inclusive workplace where people flourish.
Anthony is a professor of primary care at the University of Oxford. Until the end of December 2024 he was also a registrant council member of the General Medical Council and Chair of the Remuneration Committee.
He worked for the NHS for 40 years and notably will bring 33 years experience of working directly with patients during his time as general practitioner in Wheatley, Oxfordshire.
Anthony was also previously Deputy Chair of the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) and played a key role in ensuring public trust and patient safety during the distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine.
Notes
- Anthony Harnden was announced as the new MHRA Chair in November 2024 by the Department of Health and Social Care
