UK drug regulatory body describes attempts to ensure independence

doi:10.1136/bmj.331.7520.0-e

BMJ 2005;331 (8 October), doi:10.1136/bmj.331.7520.0-e

UK drug regulatory body describes attempts to ensure independence

On page 834, Breckenridge and Woods from the Medicine and HealthcareProducts Regulatory Agency discuss the relation between theUK drug regulatory system and the pharmaceutical industry. Theydescribe the steps being taken to ensure that the regulatoryagency is independent in its assessment even though it is fundedentirely by user fees. Members of staff must disclose any potentialcompeting interests (such as having shares in a pharmaceuticalcompany), and other measures are used to increase transparencywhile protecting commercial confidentiality and secrecy.