Background
Horizon scanning in the MHRA is supported and delivered by the Innovation Accelerator, the agency’s recently launched hub for supporting innovation. Horizon scanning aims to future-proof the agency by identifying emerging opportunities and challenges, to ensure we remain an enabling regulator capable of supporting safe innovation with respect to healthcare products – medicines, medical devices (including software) and blood components for transfusion in the UK. Horizon scanning helps to make us better at what we do in protecting public health and enables us to be aware of, and to prepare for, future technological and/or methodological advances.
Methodology
Horizon scanning in the Innovation Accelerator involves two parallel approaches: signals identified via systematic searches of publicly available sources such as academic papers, funding body news and other media sources, and also the submission of signals from MHRA colleagues in a variety of roles and fields. In addition, horizon scanning signals from stakeholders from outside the agency are welcome: if you…