The UK Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the China Food and Drug Administration (CFDA) to exchange information on drug and medical-device regulation.

The new MoU expands on a previous MoU signed in 2014 that focused on the exchange of safety information on medicines and medical devices to protect patients in the UK, China, and around the world.

 “China is a world leader in the market for raw materials for the pharmaceutical industry and closer collaboration with MHRA will support the promotion of innovation, good practice, and protect UK patients,” said Dr. Ian Hudson, chief executive officer of MHRA, in a February 2, 2018 agency statement. “We operate in a global environment and formalizing our international relationships helps strengthen regulatory systems to protect public health worldwide.”

The MoU was signed by Hudson and CFDA Director Bi Jingquan in Beijing’s Great Hall of the People with UK Prime Minister Theresa May and China’s Premier Li Keqiang present.

The updated MoU occurs as the UK and EU prepare to enter the second round of Brexit negotiations. In December 2017, the European Council formally agreed that sufficient progress had been made to move to the second phase of the negotiations and adopted guidelines for that second phase. The guidelines set out the need for the EU and the UK to complete work on all withdrawal issues and to start drafting the withdrawal agreement.

Source: UK Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency and China Food and Drug Administration