News & Views
News, Views, Blogs, Podcasts, Webinars & Opinion Pieces

Welcome Dilyana
We are delighted to welcome Dilyana to the Fusion Pharma team as our newest Regulatory Affairs Consultant. Dilyana joins us with extensive experience gained across

National vs IRP – what are the pros & cons
Part of a successful regulatory strategy is to assess all available routes to licensing medicines and select the most appropriate option by carefully weighing the

ePIL updates in the UK and EU
ePIL plans are progressing in both the UK and the EU. The aim is to make medicines information easier to access and easier to use,

Ex-regulator tips for streamlining your dossier
I still vividly remember my days at the MHRA – reviewing countless dossiers, applications, and cover letters under tight timelines. Sifting through complex justifications, tables,

Access Consortium – Promise Pilot Pathway
Access Consortium Promise Pilot Pathway: what it is, what changed, and when to consider it When you are planning filings in more than one jurisdiction,

MHRA adopts the amended EU variation guidance
When the EMA announced the new EU Variations Regulation changes in mid-2025 (read more in the previous Fusion blogs: EU variations guidance and Type IA

The new Project Revive initiative by the NHSE, Medicines UK and the MHRA
Fusion Pharma has reviewed the recent collaboration between NHS England (NHSE), the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), and Medicines UK. This joint initiative

How far can you push your supplement claims?
How far can you push your supplement claims before it becomes a medicine? The UK supplement industry is booming – from wellness influencers to high-street

Fusion Day (and Night)
Earlier this month, the Fusion team stepped away from our desks for one of our regular Fusion Days, which take place several times a year.

Clinical Trials Regulations – What you need to know
New Clinical Trials Regulations Guidelines The Medicines for Human Use (Clinical Trials) (Amendment) Regulations 2025 represent the most significant overhaul of UK clinical trials regulation

Artificial Intelligence in Regulatory Affairs
A tool we use to assist, not a substitute for expertise Artificial intelligence is becoming part of everyday working life across regulated industries. At Fusion

United States withdraws from World Health Organisation
The World Health Organisation (WHO) is an agency within the structure of the United Nations (UN), formed in 1948 to coordinate international efforts to tackle

MHRA Meeting Types
As part of their commitment to providing access to safe and effective medicines in the UK, the MHRA offer a variety of meeting options for

Medicine Repurposing and Line Extensions
What is medicine repurposing? Some medicinal products have been found to have therapeutic uses outside of their licensed indication(s) and/or instructions for use. While this

Welcome Aidan!
We are delighted to welcome Aidan Roberts to the Fusion team. He has quickly settled into his new role, bringing fresh energy, a thoughtful approach,

Pharma Industry Awards
We are delighted to share that Fusion Pharma has won the Communications Award at the Pharma Industry Awards UK 2025, held on 10 September at

EU Pharmaceutical Legislation Reform Proposals
What is the EU pharmaceutical legislation reform? The EU has been formulating a total redrafting of its pharmaceutical legislation framework since it published its roadmap

MHRA Borderline Medicines Department
Understanding the MHRA Borderline Medicines Department: Protecting Public Health and Clarifying Product Classification In the complex world of consumer healthcare products, there is often a

Updated MHRA Scientific Advice Process (+ case study)
Why might I need a Scientific Advice Meeting? Do you have any questions for the MHRA about the clinical development of your medicine, strategy for

UK Generics – Variations
This blog summarises two common examples of safety variations performed on generic licences: Authority-driven safety updates (e.g. PRAC recommendations, MHRA requests), and Reference product updates.

UK Generics – How to compare your product information to a reference product
What is a reference product? A reference product is an innovator Marketing Authorisation (MA) that is periodically referred to when updating the safety information in

Decentralised Manufacturing
What is Decentralised Manufacturing (DM)? DM brings a new manufacturing model to the pharmaceutical industry whereby a central site supervises and controls one or more

Super-group vs Workshare variations – what are the differences?
The principle of Super-grouped and Workshare Variations is to make an “identical change(s)” to a number of difference licences via 1 Application form, 1 submission,

Traditional Herbal Registration vs Food Supplement
Why register your product as a traditional herbal registration instead of a food supplement? Herbal products are available in various forms on the UK market.

Active Substance Master File procedure in the UK
What is an active substance master file? An active substance master file (ASMF) is a great way for an active substance manufacturer to retain confidential

MHRA RegulatoryConnect
In May the MHRA presented a webinar regarding the new RegulatoryConnect portal. A recording of the webinar is available on the MHRA website. The MHRA

Adding Regulatory Affairs to Employee Onboarding
The Missing Piece: Adding Regulatory Affairs to Employee Onboarding Throughout my career, I’ve made it a priority to integrate Regulatory Affairs (RA) into the onboarding

Regulatory Intelligence Insights
What is Regulatory Intelligence? Just as we use social media to stay informed about current affairs and what’s going on locally, Regulatory Intelligence (RI) keeps

NIMAR update May 2025
Recap In response to Brexit, on 1st January 2022, the UK brought in NIMAR (Northern Ireland MHRA Authorised Route) as a new supply route for

Type IA Variations – A Change to Annual Updates
What is the new process for Type IA Variations in the EU – Annual Reports? Following the implementation of the Delegated Regulation (EU) 2024/1701, on 1

ILAP Relaunched
I first wrote about the Innovative Licensing and Access Pathway (ILAP) back in 2021 (and again in 2023) so many of you will be familiar

Welcome Natasha
We’re thrilled to welcome Natasha Long to the Fusion Pharma team as a Senior Regulatory Consultant! Like many in the industry, Natasha didn’t set out

Are you too risk averse to thrive in your role?
Just to clarify, I’m not talking about life threatening risks such as swimming with sharks (I have no desire to do this!), I’m talking about

Variations Guidelines Updates
Changes to the Variations Regulation When I think about Lifecyle management, once the MAA is obtained, what springs to my mind is variations, variations, variations.

VPAG and De-branding – for Regulatory Professionals
As a regulatory professional you may be on the edge of discussions concerning VPAG, you may have heard of it but don’t really understand what

Windsor Framework Webinar – The impact to pharmacovigilance activities for – PV and Regulatory
In this joint webinar hosted by Fusion Pharma and ADAMAS Consulting, Leah Heathman and Sarina Norris explore The Windsor Framework and the impact to pharmacovigilance

Windsor Framework Webinar with Leah Heathman
To prepare for the changes coming on 1st Jan 2025, Leah Heathman revisited the Windsor Framework, assessing its regulatory impact on your Marketing Authorisations and

Batch Specific Variations – are you aware of the opportunities?
Batch Specific Variations (BSVs) are one of my favourite activities to do – they are fast paced, put my regulatory expertise into action and often

How short-term mindsets can damage the long game
The consequences of short-term mindsets are of course not limited to Regulatory Affairs, they impact all matters of life such as health, finances and relationships

The new MHRA pipeline planning process
Back in August the MHRA launched their new pipeline process to allow them to better prepare for incoming work. Fusion Pharma attended the latest webinar

How the Windsor Framework will impact Pharmacovigilance
We have unpacked how the Windsor Framework (WF) affects Regulatory activities through several of our Fusion webinars and articles, so I thought it only fair

International Recognition Procedure for Medical Devices
Back in May the MHRA published a statement of policy intent, outlining the proposal of a new international recognition procedure for medical devices. This comes

It’s OK not to know everything in Regulatory!
Regardless of where you are in your career, you will never reach a point where you know everything. You can obviously apply this statement to

MHRA Applications – One strike and it’s out
Earlier this year the MHRA published new guidance on established medicines, the guidance came into force on 1st March 2024. The aim of the guidance

Cost Saving in Regulatory
UK pharma companies are scrutinising their budgets more than ever before as a result of inflation, the impact of VPAS / VPAG and Brexit. With

Windsor Framework Webinar for QPs / QA with Leah Heathman
A Windsor Framework for QPs / QA. In this webinar, Leah addressed: QP release of non-‘UK Only’ stock / supply of existing stock QP release

How to save money in your Regulatory Affairs Department
Can you save costs in a Regulatory Affairs Department? Yes – it can be challenging to include Regulatory in company-wide cost saving goals since the

IR35 – the ins and outs and why it doesn’t matter
What is IR35 again? IR35 is a UK tax law that has always been around (during my time anyway) with the purpose of blocking companies

Regulatory Consultancy Vs Contractor
Navigating the challenges of workforce fluctuations and contractor reliability is familiar terrain to the Fusion Pharma team. We understand the frustrations that come with onboarding,

International Recognition Procedure (IRP)
The International Recognition Procedure (IRP) has featured in every one of our newsletters since Fusion Connect went live in 2023 – with IRP being in

InFusion: Membership update
In our last newsletter we introduced you to InFusion, our new membership designed to support Regulatory Affairs Departments and professionals within the UK. Over the

Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Pharma
Artificial Intelligence (AI) isn’t just a concept of the future – it’s a pervasive force shaping our everyday lives. From the personalized recommendations on streaming

Feeling the pain of a medicine shortage – views from a patient and pharma consultant
This is a joint article, written by two of Fusion Pharma’s Senior Regulatory Consultants. The first part is written by Dr Lorraine Marsh from a

The Innovative Devices Access Pathway (IDAP)
The Innovative Devices Access Pathway (IDAP) is currently in its pilot phase. IDAP has been designed to accelerate the development of innovative medical devices where

International Recognition Procedure Webinar with Leah Heathman
A webinar with Leah Heathman summarising the IRP and our experience so far. In this informative webinar, Leah addressed: What is the International Recognition Procedure

How Artificial Intelligence is advancing the pharmaceutical industry
Artificial intelligence (AI) has emerged as a game-changer for the pharmaceutical industry, revolutionising drug discovery, development and personalised medicine. With its ability to analyse vast

MHRA RegulatoryConnect Portal
Last week the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) held a webinar for the launch of the new MHRA RegulatoryConnect Portal that is due

A year in the life of Fusion Pharma
2023 has been an immensely successful year for Fusion Pharma, for which we are very grateful. Our clients have hugely benefited from our experienced and

InFusion Membership is Coming!
The reflection of 2023 is an excellent segue into looking at what 2024 will bring – and in a word it will be ‘InFusion’. InFusion

UK Update – International Recognition Procedure and the Windsor Framework
2023 has brought us two further ‘Brexit hangovers’… the International Recognition Procedure (IRP) and the Windsor Framework! Fusion Pharma have been closely monitoring the Medicines

Vaping – views from a Regulatory Affairs expert… and mother
Has Australia got it right? By prohibiting all varieties of vaping devices, and making them only available on prescription, Australia appears to have gone much

MHRA Notification Scheme
The UK Clinical Trial sector is due to benefit from a recently launched MHRA notification scheme for certain types of initial Clinical Trial Applications (CTAs).

The Consequences of Poor Regulatory Affairs Performance: A Comprehensive Guide
Introduction In the dynamic landscape of the pharmaceutical industry, effective management of regulatory affairs is crucial for ensuring the safety, efficacy, and timely market access

International Recognition Procedure
Since leaving the EU, the MHRA has had to adapt to new ways of working with less resource, leading to unprecedented delays in assessment timelines.

The Windsor Framework
The Windsor Framework was announced 8 months ago, leading to Regulatory Affairs professionals across the UK to drop their jaws in disbelief, for this meant

Fusion Footy
Did you know we sponsor an inclusive youth team on the South Coast? The Berewood Panthers Pan-Abilities Football Teams (U11s and U16s) meet on

UK joins CPTPP
Accession to the CPTPP On the 16th July 2023 the UK officially signed into the treaty confirming the UK’s accession to the Comprehensive and Progressive

Traditional Herbal Registrations
Traditional herbal registrations Following on from my previous blog introducing herbal medicinal products (which you can find here), this blog is going to look deeper

Regulating Herbal Medicines in the UK and EU
Regulating herbal medicines in the UK and EU What is a herbal medicine? Herbal medicinal products are those which contain exclusively herbal substances or

International Recognition Framework – An Opinion Piece
On 26th May 2023, the MHRA released further details on the International Recognition Procedure. This was first announced in January in anticipation of what would

PRIME: PRIority MEdicines – An Update
What is PRIME (priority medicines)? PRIME (priority medicines) is a scheme launched by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) to enhance support for the development of medicines that target an
Who the heck are Fusion Pharma anyway?
Who the heck are Fusion Pharma anyway? We are a wonderful bunch of Regulatory Affairs experts!! The more professional answer, however, would be… we are

MHRA new International Framework
We all know about the European Commission Decision Reliance Procedure (ECDRP) and that it has been extended to 31st December 2023. What my article will

The Windsor Framework
We can’t issue a Regulatory newsletter without referencing The Windsor Framework, can we! On 28th February 2023, the EU and the UK agreed a deal

Boosting development of children’s medicines
For as long as I can remember in my pharma career, there have always been challenges in enabling development of paediatric medicines. However, significant steps

ILAP TDP Toolkit
To conclude my new 2023 blog series on the Innovative Licensing and Access Pathway (ILAP), in this blog I’m going to touch on the Target

ILAP Target Development Profile
As part of my 2023 series on the Innovative Licensing and Access Pathway (ILAP), in this blog we are going to explore the Target Development

ILAP Innovation Passport
As I was refreshing my original Innovative Licensing and Access Pathway (ILAP) blog, I realised just how much there was to unpack about this process.

ILAP Revisited
I first wrote about the Innovative Licensing and Access Pathway (ILAP) in 2021 shortly after it had initially been published on the Medicines and Healthcare


Clinical Trial Regulation (CTR) – A Closer Look
Clinical Trial Regulation (CTR) From 31st January 2023, it will no longer be possible to submit new initial clinical trial applications under the Clinical

Clinical Trials in the EU – CTIS
How do you submit initial Clinical Trials in the EU? In January 2022 I wrote a blog about the new Clinical Trial Regulation (CTR) and

Scientific Advice Meetings with the MHRA
Why might I need a Scientific Advice Meeting? Do you have a questions for the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) about the development

NIMAR vs Specials
NIMAR vs Specials Following on from my other blogs on NIMAR (Northern Ireland MHRA Authorised Route) I have been asked about Specials. What is the

NIMAR – A Closer Look
NIMAR – A Closer Look Following on from my original blog titled ‘An Introduction to NIMAR‘, today we shall have a look in more detail,

An Introduction to the Northern Ireland MHRA Authorised Route (NIMAR)
An introduction to the Northern Ireland MHRA Authorised Route (NIMAR) What is the background to NIMAR? Following Brexit the UK Government brought in a

MHRA Active Substance Registrations
Today’s blog will help you navigate registrations for Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (API), sometimes referred to as the ‘Drug Substance’. If you manufacture, import or distribute

MHRA Wholesaler Dealer’s Licence (WDA(H))
Do you need a Wholesale Dealer’s Licence (WDA(H)) to conduct your business in the UK? If so, our blog below provides an outline of where

MHRA Manufacturer’s Licence (MIA)
To manufacture, assemble or import medicinal products for human use, you need a Manufacturer’s Licence (MIA) issued by the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency

Paediatric Investigation Plans (PIPs) in the UK
Today we visit the topic of Paediatric Investigation Plans (PIPs) and all related submissions to the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) – the

Paediatric Investigation Plans (PIPs) in the EU
Today I’m writing a short blog to introduce Paediatric Investigation Plan (PIP) submissions to the European Medicines Agency (EMA). What is a Paediatric Investigation Plan

PRIME: PRIority MEdicines
In today’s blog I will be taking a look at PRIME (priority medicines), a scheme launched by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) to enhance support

SME status in the UK
Are you a small or medium-sized enterprise (SME)? If so the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) fees legislation currently has provision for some

SME status in the EU
Are you a small or medium-sized enterprise (SME) established in the European Union (EU)/ European Economic Area (EEA)? If so the European Medicines Agency (EMA)

Clinical Trials Regulation in the EU
Clinical Trials Regulation in the EU The Clinical Trials Regulation (Regulation (EU) No 536/2014) comes into application on 31 January 2022 and the Clinical Trials Information System (CTIS)

Combined Review
Today we are looking at the combined review service; from 1 January 2022 all new Clinical Trials of Investigational Medicinal Product (CTIMP) applications will be

PSURs/PBRERs – UK Processing
UK processing of PSURs/ PBRERs Today we are concluding our foray into the topic of Periodic Safety Update Reports (PSURs) and Periodic Benefit Risk Evaluation

International Expansion
We welcome Sue Allen, Senior Regulatory Affairs Consultant, to discuss the practical considerations of international expansion and the questions that should be asked during the

PSURs/PBRERs – EU Processing
EU processing of PSURs/ PBRERs Today we are focusing on the processing of Periodic Safety Update Reports (PSURs)/ Periodic Benefit Risk Evaluation Reports (PBRERs) for

Fusion Chat
We are delighted to share the next instalment of our Fusion Chat series with our latest member of the team – Nosheen Majid, Fusion Pharma’s

Compliance Culture
It is our pleasure to introduce Julie Yeoman as one of our guest bloggers, who writes so passionately about compliance and visits the core of

Preparation of PSURs/PBRERs
How to prepare your PSURs/ PBRERs Today we are continuing our series on PSURs and PBRERs by focusing on how to prepare your Periodic Safety

An Introduction to PSURs and PBRERs
An introduction to PSURs and PBRERs Today I am introducing Periodic Safety Update Reports (PSURs)/ Periodic Benefit Risk Evaluation Reports (PBRERs) for medicinal products.

Fusion Chat
We are delighted to host Dr Donna Lockhart within our Fusion Chat series, interviewed by Leah Heathman at Fusion Pharma. Donna is a highly respected

Early Access to Medicines Scheme
The early access to medicines scheme (EAMS) was introduced by the MHRA with the objective of providing patients with life-threatening or seriously debilitating conditions, access

Brexit – CAP Renewals
Today we’re looking at renewals submitted for Marketing Authorisations (MAs) granted through the Centrally Authorised Procedure (CAP). For the basics on renewals please see my

The Importance of Cross-functional Working – a Marketing Perspective
We are delighted to introduce Michelle Bridgman who brings along with her 10 years of experience working as a Pharmaceutical Brand Marketer with Prescription Medicines,

Renewals – The Basics
Dr Marsh answers a few fundamental questions on licence renewals, with a UK slant. For how long is my Marketing Authorisation valid? A Marketing

Fusion Chat
This month we speak with Dr. Lorraine Marsh, Head of Scientific Affairs at Fusion Pharma, about her career highlights, her advice for graduates looking to

Fusion Chat
This week we are in conversation with Fusion Pharma’s Founder and Managing Director, Leah Heathman. We will frequently be asking members of the Fusion team

ILAP – Innovative Licensing and Access Pathway
Today we are focusing on the Innovative Licensing and Access Pathway (ILAP). What is the ILAP? The ILAP is a new pathway supporting innovative approaches

Regulatory Intelligence
Here we introduce a topic that can be seen as somewhat onerous, however it is vital for the compliance of both products and processes within

Project Orbis
Today we are focusing on the Project Orbis initiative, with a UK slant. What is Project Orbis? Project Orbis is an innovative programme coordinated

Charity in the workplace
Giving to charity is a very personal choice, usually influenced by experience, values and circumstances. It can be an emotive subject that attracts judgment and

Access Consortium
Today we’re focusing on the Access Consortium. The trend towards globalisation of therapeutic products industries and the rapid emergence of new technologies in the last

Brexit – Impact of COVID-19
On 23 June 2016, the United Kingdom narrowly voted to leave the European Union, a decision which has impacted the lives of millions of people.

COVID-19 – Impact on Hospital Patients
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and to prevent the NHS being overwhelmed due to a rapid increase of COVID-19 cases, the UK Government made

Quality and manufacturing strategy during product development planning
During 30 years’ experience in medicines and device development it has been my observation that insufficient attention is paid to the importance of quality and

Converting Parallel Distribution Notices (PDNs) to UK Parallel Import Licences (PILs)
Parallel Distribution Notices (PDNs) are no longer valid in Great Britain (England, Scotland, Wales) and are replaced by Parallel Import Licences which allow the products

Brexit – Unfettered Access Procedure (UAP)
What is the Unfettered Access Procedure (UAP)? Applicants may seek recognition in Great Britain of a marketing authorisation (MA) approved in Northern Ireland. The UAP

Brexit – Packaging
Registering new packaging information for medicines Once you have been issued with your new Marketing Authorisation (MA) to convert a previously EU-wide MA to a

Brexit – MAH & QPPV Location
Marketing Authorisation Holder (MAH) and Qualified Person for Pharmacovigilance (QPPV) location Establishment of the MAH The MAH for a UK MA must be established in

Brexit – Routes to obtaining an MA in UK/ NI/ GB
There are now several routes to obtaining a Marketing Authorisation (MA) in the UK, Great Britain (GB – England, Scotland and Wales) or Northern Ireland

Parallel Import Scheme
What is the UK parallel import licensing scheme? The UK parallel import licensing scheme lets a medicine authorised in European Economic Area (EEA) Member State

Brexit – MRP/ DCP Renewals
Today we’re looking at Renewals submitted for Marketing Authorisations (MAs) granted through Mutual Recognition Procedure/ Decentralised Procedure ( MRP/ DCP) (MHRA guidance can be found

Brexit – Variations
Now that the Brexit transition has taken place you may be wondering what your options are for submitting new variations or how your pending variations

Brexit – Centralised Procedure
Today we’ll be looking at how licences authorised via the EU centralised procedure are going to be handled. All existing Marketing Authorisations (MAs) authorised through

MHRA – Exemptions from Devices regulations during COVID-19 pandemic
You may be able to get exemptions from certain regulations for your medical device during the pandemic. How you go about this depends on what

COVID-19 – Regulators respond – Australia, New Zealand Focus
Yesterday we looked at the response from the authorities in Middle East & Latin America (COVID-19 – Regulators Respond – Middle East & Latin America Focus). Today we’ll be

COVID-19 – Regulators respond – Middle East & Latin America Focus
Yesterday we looked at the response from the authorities in India (COVID-19 – Regulators Respond – India Focus). Today we’ll be focusing on the Middle East

COVID-19 – Regulators respond – India Focus
My last mini blog focused on the USA agency response (COVID-19 – Regulators Respond – USA Focus), today we’ll be looking at India. Many aspects of

COVID-19 – Regulators respond – USA Focus
Last time we looked at the MHRA response (COVID-19 – Regulators Respond – UK Focus), today we shall focus on the USA. Many aspects of our

COVID-19 – Regulators respond – UK Focus
Many aspects of our lives have been affected by the pandemic which has seen cases and deaths around the world. The pharmaceutical industry has by

COVID-19 – Regulators respond – EU Focus
Today we’re looking at how regulatory authorities around the world are responding to the COVID-19 pandemic and, specifically, what flexibility they are offering to support

PDF licences and certificates from MHRA
Staff at the MHRA are working from home so they are issuing electronic pdf copies of licences and certificates, however entries will continue to be