Freedom of Information request on the transformation at MHRA (FOI 21/1051)
Published 27 April 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-4-october-2021/freedom-of-information-request-on-the-transformation-at-mhra-foi-211051
5th October 2021
FOI 21/1051
Dear
Thank you for your information request, dated 12th of September 2021, where you asked for ‘I saw on the news that the MHRA are due to cut one in five jobs. Is this due to Brexit? Also Is it still a good organisation to work for and with one with good progression options?’
I am pleased to provide you with the information requested, see below.
The transformation at MHRA is in response to four challenges: the UK exiting the European Union; our role in enabling the Life Sciences strategy; the Independent Medicines and Medical Devices Safety Review which recommended that we focus on patients in all our activities; and financial pressures.
Rapid changes to the world of life sciences require the MHRA to work in a different way, operating as a joined up, nimble regulator delivering the best value and outcomes for patients and public health.
Leaving the European Union has meant changes to the regulatory processes and systems, which have also led to a reduction in traditional areas of the MHRA’s business. However, it has also created opportunities for the MHRA to embed new ways of working. In particular, it can work in greater partnership with other regulators and across the health and care system to ensure that UK patients benefit from new medicines and technologies quickly.
We aim to move to a focused and joined up organisational model that will improve the outcomes we deliver to patients and the public. Our transformation will lead to a reduction in our workforce of around 20% and is based on a thorough and meaningful assessment of the MHRA’s role, its functions and the lessons learnt about how the MHRA can operate over this period of extraordinary change. We are strongly committed to retaining talented staff, reskilling and developing wherever possible.
The MHRA’s Delivery Plan 2021-2023 “Putting Patients First: A New Era for Our Agency”, is a roadmap to the Agency’s future and commitment to continue to be a world-class regulator that delivers the right outcomes for patients, while we modernise the services we provide to industry, and remain financially stable. More information can be found at: Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency Delivery Plan 2021-2023 - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).
The transformation at MHRA also provides an opportunity to maintain and have a career which enables our staff to both excel in their chosen field, and consider their progression to a wider variety of other roles within the new Agency structure.
The Freedom of Information Act only entitles you to access to information – the information supplied is subject to Crown copyright, and there are some restrictions on its re-use. For information on the reproduction or re-use of MHRA information, please visit https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/reproduce-or-re-use-mhra-information/reproduce-or-re-use-mhra-information.
If you have a query about the information provided, please reply to this email.
Yours sincerely,
MHRA Customer Service Centre
Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency