Freedom of Information request about LifeVac, Dechoker (FOI-21-055 )
Published 24 March 2021
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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/freedom-of-information-responses-from-the-mhra-week-commencing-1-february-2021/freedom-of-information-request-about-lifevac-dechoker-foi-21-055
Thank you for your email, dated 16 January 2021, in which you state the following:
“This is a request for information filed under the FOI Act. Please confirm receipt.
From 1 January 2017 to the present, please provide me with copies of all correspondence between your agency and representatives of the companies LifeVac Europe Ltd and Dechoker UK Ltd. Correspondence should include letters sent by Post and emails.
Please provide the records in digital format via e-mail if possible.”
The information you have asked for is exempt from disclosure under Section 44 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOIA);
Section 44 – Prohibitions on disclosure: the release of information is exempt as its disclosure is prohibited by other legislation. In this case, section 237 of the Enterprise Act 2002 prohibits a public authority from releasing information which came to it in connection with the exercise of its functions, and which relates to the affairs of an individual or business.
The MHRA is satisfied that the information you have requested:
constitutes information which came to us in connection with the exercise of the Agency’s functions. The MHRA has a duty of consumer protection under the Consumer Protection Act 1987 which is listed as a specified function under Schedule 14 of the Enterprise Act 2002, and receives information while exercising consumer protection functions in its role as the regulator of medicines and healthcare products.
relates to the affairs of LifeVac Europe Ltd and Dechoker UK Ltd, businesses which continue to exist.
If you disagree with how we have interpreted the Freedom of Information Act 2000 with regards to your request, you can ask for an internal review. It will be carried out by a senior member of the Agency who was not involved with the original decision. Internal review requests should be submitted within two months of the date you receive this response and addressed to: [email protected].
If you were to remain dissatisfied with the outcome of the internal review, you would have the right to apply directly to the Information Commissioner for a decision. Please bear in mind that the Information Commissioner will not normally review our handling of your request unless you have first contacted us to conduct an internal review.
The Information Commissioner can be contacted online: https://ico.org.uk/make-a-complaint/official-information-concerns-report/official-information-concern/
or by post:
Information Commissioner’s Office
Wycliffe House
Water Lane
Wilmslow
Cheshire
SK9 5AF
Yours sincerely
MHRA Customer Service Centre
Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency
10 South Colonnade, Canary Wharf, London E14 4PU
Telephone 0203 080 6000