Freedom of Information request on the review of the risk assessment for lateral flow tests (FOI 21/988)
Published 25 February 2022
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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/freedom-of-information-responses-from-the-mhra-week-commencing-20-september-2021/freedom-of-information-request-on-the-review-of-the-risk-assessment-for-lateral-flow-tests-foi-21988
23rd September 2021
FOI 21/988
Dear
Thank you for your email of 25 August 2021 in which you requested:
“You have informed me that MHRA did not do the risk assessment, which I am currently trying to obtain from DHSC; however, can you provide me with the “thorough review” of the risk assessment carried out by the MHRA?”
Unfortunately, the information you have asked for is exempt from disclosure under Section 44 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOIA).
Section 44 – Prohibitions on disclosure: the release of information is exempt as its disclosure is prohibited by other legislation. In this case, section 237 of the Enterprise Act 2002 prohibits a public authority from releasing information which came to it in connection with the exercise of its functions, and which relates to the affairs of an individual or business.
The MHRA is satisfied that the information you have requested:
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constitutes information which came to us in connection with the exercise of the Agency’s functions. The MHRA has a duty of consumer protection under the Consumer Protection Act 1987 which is listed as a specified function under Schedule 14 of the Enterprise Act 2002, and receives information while exercising consumer protection functions in its role as the regulator of medicines and healthcare products.
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relates to the affairs of Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) a business which continues to exist.
You may find helpful the lateral flow device performance data published by DHSC which can be found at Lateral flow device performance data - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
If you disagree with how we have interpreted the Freedom of Information Act 2000 with regards to your request, you can ask for an internal review. It will be carried out by a senior member of the Agency who was not involved with the original decision. Internal review requests should be submitted within two months of the date you receive this response and addressed to: info@mhra.gov.uk.
If you were to remain dissatisfied with the outcome of the internal review, you would have the right to apply directly to the Information Commissioner for a decision. Please bear in mind that the Information Commissioner will not normally review our handling of your request unless you have first contacted us to conduct an internal review.
The Information Commissioner can be contacted online: https://ico.org.uk/make-a-complaint/official-information-concerns-report/official-information-concern/
Yours sincerely
MHRA Customer Service Centre
Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency
10 South Colonnade, Canary Wharf, London E14 4PU
Telephone 020 3080 6000