Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency

Men taking valproate and their partners are being advised by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) to use effective contraception because of new data suggesting a potential small increased risk of harm to children if valproate is used by a father at conception. Valproate is licensed for epilepsy and bipolar disorder. 

Following a thorough review, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has concluded that the available evidence does not establish a causal relationship between Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists and suicidal behaviour, suicidal ideation, self-injury and depression.

The MHRA has approved an adapted Moderna COVID-19 vaccine (Spikevax) that targets the JN.1 COVID-19 subvariant.

As the new school year looms, the MHRA sets out key advice on children’s medicines and medical devices.

Dr Junaid Bajwa, Professor Graham Cooke, Dr Paul Goldsmith and Rajakumari Long have had their appointments as Non-Executive Directors (NEDs) of the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency extended from 1 September 2024 until 31 August 2025.

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has today, 22 August 2024, approved a product licence for the medicine lecanemab (Leqembi) for use in the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease, following a thorough review of the benefits and risks.