MHRA Chief to step down in 2019

pharmafile | November 21, 2018 | News story | Medical Communications, Research and Development |  MHRA, UK, brexit, pharma 

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), the regulator responsible for the efficacy and safety of medicines in the UK, has announced that its Chief Executive is to step down from the role in September next year.

Dr Ian Hudson joined the then-Medicines Control Agency in 2001 as Licensing Director before stepping up to the role of CEO in 2013, his time with the organisation totalling 17 years. His decision to end his tenure with the agency comes at a time of great uncertainty for the UK; with the country set to leave the European Union in March 2019 and with no sign of a likely deal thus far, the MHRA will need stalwart leadership to navigate the potential challenges to medicines regulation and availability that will come no matter what situation materialises in the coming year.

Originally practicing as a paediatrician, he entered the pharmaceutical industry in clinical research and development in 1989, lasting until he joined the MHRA.

“My reasons for stepping down are both personal and professional. I had always intended to reduce my total work commitment to enable me to pursue other things and perhaps have more of a portfolio career by the time I reached 60, which has now happened,” Dr Hudson commented.  “I feel the time is right for a new person to guide the Agency and our work through its next phase, following the UK’s departure from the European Union next year.

“Although I will be standing down next autumn, my focus remains on ensuring the Agency delivers its essential contribution to public health, and I look forward to continuing to lead our work until September 2019,” he added.

The MHRA has said that it will begin the search for a new CEO in early 2019, in good time for an orderly handover.

Matt Fellows