The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has reported that it met or exceeded all statutory targets in 2025/26 to improve access to medicines and medical devices for UK patients, according to its latest Results and Forecast report published on 28 April. The agency continues to strengthen its role as a leading global regulator while improving efficiency in approvals and ensuring faster patient access to safe and effective treatments.
Over the past year, the MHRA has expanded its international partnerships and advanced work in key areas such as clinical trials reform, artificial intelligence regulation, and rare disease treatment pathways. These efforts are aimed at attracting innovation and investment into the UK’s £100 billion life sciences sector while maintaining strong regulatory standards and patient safety.
The report highlights several major achievements, including full delivery of performance targets across licensing, clinical trials, and safety decisions, as well as a strong financial surplus. The MHRA also enhanced patient safety through stronger surveillance systems, tackling misinformation, and removing millions of unauthorised medicine doses from circulation. It also strengthened its scientific leadership by investing in AI, digital tools, and advanced regulatory methods.
International collaboration was a key focus, with new and expanded partnerships including alignment with NICE to speed up patient access, cooperation with the US FDA, a UK–Singapore innovation partnership, and participation in global AI and health regulatory networks. These initiatives aim to create more efficient pathways for innovation while maintaining high safety standards.
The report also notes improved external perception of the MHRA among industry stakeholders and a rise in staff engagement and morale. Leadership figures from the UK government, MHRA, and partner organisations emphasised that these achievements reflect a modern, agile regulator that supports both public health and economic growth.
Looking ahead, the MHRA plans to launch a new five-year strategy to further evolve UK regulation through to 2030. The strategy will focus on strengthening patient safety, supporting NHS priorities, and promoting scientific innovation to reinforce the UK’s position as a global life sciences hub.
