MHRA Announce Anthony Harnden As New Chair
Topic : Type : Briefing
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has appointed Professor Anthony Harnden as its new Chair.
A professor of primary care at the University of Oxford, Professor Harnden brings extensive experience to the role. Until the end of December 2024, he remains a registrant council member of the General Medical Council and Chair of the Remuneration Committee.
With a career spanning 40 years in the NHS - including 33 years as a general practitioner in Wheatley, Oxfordshire - Professor Harnden has a deep understanding of patient care. He previously served as Deputy Chair of the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI), where he played a key role in ensuring public trust and patient safety during the rollout of the COVID-19 vaccine.
He succeeds Stephen Lightfoot, who served as MHRA Chair from September 2020 until stepping down in 2023.
As Chair, Professor Harnden has indicated his immediate priorities will include robust safety surveillance, risk-proportionate regulation, and fostering an inclusive workplace.
Regulation remains a critical priority for ABHI, and we welcome Professor Harnden’s appointment at a pivotal time for the sector.