The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) is
proud to announce its designation as a WHO-Listed Authority
(WLA) by the World Health Organization (WHO), joining the ranks
of the world's most trusted regulatory bodies. This recognition
affirms MHRA's commitment to the highest international standards
in the regulation of medical products and marks a significant
milestone for the UK's leadership in global health.
The designation places MHRA alongside Health Canada and Japan's
MHLW/PMDA as newly appointed WLAs announced by the WHO earlier
today, reinforcing a growing network of 39 authorities whose work
underpins faster, broader access to quality-assured medical
products – especially in low- and middle-income countries.
This achievement is a testament to the UK's strategic vision for
health and life sciences. It aligns with the ambitions set out in
the Government's Life Sciences Sector Plan, to position the UK as
a global hub for innovation and enhance the UK's life sciences
industry through cutting-edge science and regulatory
excellence.
It also supports the goals of the 10-Year Health Plan for
England, which sets out a transformative agenda for the NHS –
shifting care from hospital to community, analogue to digital,
and sickness to prevention. MHRA's designation as a WLA
strengthens the UK's ability to deliver on this vision by
ensuring timely access to safe, effective, and innovative medical
products for patients globally.
Lawrence Tallon, MHRA Chief Executive,
commented:
This designation is a proud moment for the MHRA and for the UK.
It reflects our unwavering commitment to regulatory excellence,
innovation, and global collaboration. As a WHO-Listed Authority,
we stand ready to support faster access to life-saving treatments
worldwide, while continuing to uphold the highest standards of
safety and efficacy.
The WHO's WLA framework plays a vital role in strengthening
global regulatory systems, promoting convergence, and enabling
reliance on trusted authorities. It supports efficient resource
use and accelerates access to quality-assured products –
especially in regions where regulatory capacity is still
developing.
This recognition builds on MHRA's legacy as a Stringent
Regulatory Authority and signals a new era of global cooperation,
where we will continue to deliver health, wealth, and resilience
through world-class regulation.
