The Commission on Human Medicines (CHM) advises the Licensing Authority on the safety, quality and efficacy of human medicines. CHM has asked the MHRA to establish an Expert Advisory Group (EAG) on patient and public engagement under the chairmanship of Mr. Harry Cayton. This notice calls for expressions of interest for serving on this EAG for consideration by the CHM.
Please note - the deadline for expressions of interest has now been extended to 12 September 2011.
The remit of the EAG will be to advise the Commission on Human Medicines (CHM) on:
- The development of effective communications for patients, the public and carers to help them make informed choices about medicines and to use medicines safely.
- How to improve communication between patients and health professionals and between the MHRA and the public on the safe use of medicines.
- Ways to promote the availability and accessibility of high quality information about individual medicines available in the UK.
- Ways to encourage reporting of adverse drug reactions (ADRs) by patients and the public. Recognising the importance of the patient experience, to advise on building links between patient concerns as experienced in direct ADR reports and the information provided to patients.
- Facilitating targeted patient involvement on relevant regulatory issues, where patient/public involvement has not otherwise been achieved by working with specific patient organisations.
- Providing a patient perspective on strategic issues such as the upcoming European legislation on Patient Information.
The CHM has taken a keen interest in the development of medicines information for patients and through its expert advisory group on patient information has delivered quality improvements in relation to statutory patient information. Recent developments in this area including a publication from the Royal College of Physicians 'Innovating for Health – Patients, Physicians, the Pharmaceutical Industry and the NHS' along with proposed changes in the regulatory framework have provided an opportunity for a review of the strategic direction this work should take.
Successful applicants will have a proven interest and enthusiasm in patient/public communications in the field of medicines and healthcare and be willing to commit their expertise to improving communications between patients and health professionals and between the MHRA and the public on the safe use of medicines. An application form and full person specification is at Annex 1 
(166Kb).
Meetings are held four to six times a year at the MHRA premises in Victoria, London. Depending on business, the meetings would last between four and five hours and commence either at 10.00 or 14.00 hours.
All travel and accommodation costs will be met within Government guidelines and a small taxable fee is also payable. Paperwork for meetings is sent electronically. Membership numbers are yet to be defined but likely to be in the order of 15 – 20. The selection process will involve sifting against the person specification and successful candidates will be subject to interview by a panel consisting of two Commissioners, a representative from the MHRA staff and the chair of the Expert Advisory Group.
Expressions of interest on the attached forms should be submitted to Leslie Whitbread, Secretary to the Commission on Human Medicines via email leslie.whitbread@mhra.gsi.gov.uk by close of business on 12 September 2011.
Annex 1 (Application form and person specification) (166Kb)
