Anthony Harnden has been appointed as the new chair of the
Medicine and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).
Anthony is a Professor of Primary Care at the University of
Oxford, and until the end of December 2024, a registrant Council
member of the General Medical Council and Chair of the
Renumeration 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 vaccine.
He succeeds former MHRA chair Stephen Lightfoot, who served from
September 2020 and stepped down in 2023.
The chair will play a key role in driving forward the strategic
direction of MHRA to maintain the UK as a global centre of
excellence in life sciences, in the best interests of patients
and the public.
Health Minister said:
I am delighted to welcome Anthony, who brings a wealth of
regulatory and healthcare experience, including 33 years as a
General Practitioner.
The MHRA plays a vital role in ensuring the safe use of
medicines, medical devices and blood transfusions across the UK
and I look forward to working with Anthony as we reform our
health service and make it fit for the future.
Dr June Raine, MHRA Chief Executive said:
We are delighted to welcome Professor Anthony Harnden as our new
Chair.
Anthony brings with him a wealth of experience from across the
healthcare sector and academia that will be invaluable when
advising on the strategic direction of the Agency to protect and
promote public health.
I would also like to say an enormous thank you to Amanda Calvert,
Michael Whitehouse OBE and Professor Graham Cooke for their
sterling work co-chairing the MHRA board on an interim basis
since July 2023.
Professor Anthony Harnden said:
It is a great honour and privilege to be appointed by Ministers
to be the next MHRA Chair. I am looking forward to making a
contribution to the future successes of the organisation.
I will use my experience in healthcare and regulation to help the
MHRA deliver its strategic priorities – keeping patients safe and
enabling timely access to new medicines and technologies.
