Consultation outcome

The future strategy for batch testing of medicinal products in Great Britain

• From: Department of Health and Social Care
• Published: 31 May 2022
• Last updated: 15 December 2022 — See all updates

This was published under the 2019 to 2022 Johnson Conservative government

This consultation has concluded

Read the full outcome

The future strategy for batch testing of medicinal products in Great Britain: government response

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Detail of outcome

Batch testing is the process of confirming every batch of medicine has the correct composition through laboratory tests by the manufacturer. The government consulted on 4 proposals for a future batch testing policy for Great Britain where medicines are imported from a country with which the UK does not have a mutual recognition agreement on batch testing.

The majority of the responses were in favour of no import testing or UK Qualified Person (QP) certification for medicines imported from countries on the approved list (option A). Responses to the consultation highlighted the benefits of this option for the safety and availability of medicines, as well as avoiding adding additional cost and complexity that could disrupt medicine supply chains.

After careful consideration of all the responses to consultation, alongside other relevant information and evidence, the government has decided to make permanent the approach of maintaining a list of approved countries for import which require no import testing or UK QP certification. This policy protects patient safety, supports the aims set out by this government in the Life Sciences Vision to stimulate a thriving UK life sciences sector and avoids adding unnecessary regulation to an already highly regulated sector. As this policy is currently in operation and in legislation, there is no need for a 2-year period to allow industry to prepare for implementation.

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Original consultation

Summary

We want your views on 4 proposed options for a future policy on batch testing of medicines for Great Britain.

This consultation ran from
11am on 31 May 2022 to 11:45pm on 26 July 2022

Consultation description

Batch testing is the process of confirming every batch of medicine has the correct composition through laboratory tests by the manufacturer.

The UK’s independence from the EU now means the UK can set its own regulatory policy in Great Britain on how, when and if to accept batch testing results from third countries or choose to require batch testing in the UK of products intended for the UK market.

We’re seeking views on the 4 policy options outlined in the attached consultation document, along with the practicalities of implementing them, in relation to medicines imported into Great Britain from a third country with which the UK does not have a mutual recognition agreement (MRA) on batch testing.

Documents

The future strategy for batch testing of medicinal products in Great Britain – consultation document

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The future strategy for batch testing of medicinal products in Great Britain – impact assessment

PDF, 389 KB, 34 pages

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The future strategy for batch testing of medicinal products in Great Britain – consultation document (PDF version)

PDF, 158 KB, 30 pages

Published 31 May 2022
Last updated 15 December 2022 + show all updates

1. 15 December 2022

   Added the consultation response.

2. 31 May 2022

   First published.