As a medicines regulator, we are committed to ending medicine shortages | Letter

In response to the letter (31 January) from Mark Samuels, CEO of the British Generic Manufacturers Association (BGMA), we would like to reassure readers that supporting the healthcare system to address shortages is a priority for the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) and that we work with many partners for this, including the BGMA.

We are taking important steps to review applications for generic and established medicines in the shortest possible time. We will always prioritize applications based on public health needs.

Approvals such as that for the diabetes and weight management treatment Mounjaro KwikPen, for which we were the first major regulator to license, demonstrate our commitment to this.

We are working with industry to shorten timelines and develop processes that will result in significantly improved response times while protecting patient safety. We will continue to work with the Department of Health and Social Care, which is in charge of medicines supply, and with others across the healthcare system, including the NHS, to assess potential shortages and provide support.

As an effective regulator, we strive for the highest standards of performance and delivering the right outcomes for patients and public health.
Dr. June Raine
General manager, MHRA