The new chair of the MHRA has set out his priorities for his first 100 days in office.

Professor Anthony Harnden has now officially begun his role as Chair of the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).

For the first 100 days, the priority will be talking and listening to staff and partner organisations to gain a strong understanding of how to drive forward the strategic direction of the MHRA to maintain the UK as a global centre of excellence in life sciences, in the best interests of patients and the public.

There will be a particular focus on helping the MHRA to protect patient safety through robust safety surveillance systems; embrace risk-proportionate regulation and foster an inclusive workplace where people flourish.

Professor Harnden is a professor of primary care at the University of Oxford. Until the end of December 2024 he served as a registrant council member of the General Medical Council and chair of the Remuneration Committee.

He has worked for the NHS for over 40 years, including 33 years as a GP. He has also previously served as deputy chair of the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI).