Amendment of editorial content by The Guardian News & Media Ltd – July 2025
Updated 3 September 2025
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MHRA has worked with The Guardian News & Media Ltd to ensure that editorial content that includes discussion of medicinal products is written in accordance with the MHRA Blue Guide on the Advertising and Promotion of Medicines in the UK.
This collaboration followed an article published in May 2025 about beauty products, which was identified during routine MHRA scrutiny as containing information which MHRA was concerned could likely have led a member of the public to request a specific Prescription-Only Medicine from a healthcare provider, which is prohibited in the UK.
The Guardian took steps to amend the online version of the article to remove mention of the prescription medicine, and to ensure that an over-the-counter medicine which also featured in the article was discussed appropriately and clearly as being a medicinal product that may be dispensed by a pharmacist following consultation.
The Guardian has also taken measures to brief editorial staff to help ensure that future reporting about medicines aligns with MHRA guidance for journalists, which was welcomed by MHRA.