New Technologies Forums

The New Technologies Forum for medicines was established by MHRA and the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI) in 2007 as a result of one of the recommendations made to the Department of Health's Ministerial Industry Strategy Group under its Long Term Leadership Strategy. It provides a forum for debate on medicines regulatory matters, including those in which regulation may not yet take account of scientific advances. Topics for debate at the Forum are selected by an Expert Panel from a list of subjects proposed by industry, academia, regulators or others who are invited via the website to put forward suitable subjects for consideration. The outcome of the Forum debate on the chosen topic is reflected in a paper that is published on the MHRA website, and the issue progressed in the UK or EU, depending on the conclusions and recommendations made.

A model of the New Technologies Forum is also being developed for for medical devices, so that we can consider the emerging technologies in this field and any consequences for regulation.