Note that this was issued prior to the US action on tariffs, and was a planned update. The Customs (Tariff and Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2025
Ben KempApril 11, 2025
This newsletter from the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) covers the latest operational updates on requirements and border controls for importing live animals, germinal products, products of animal origin and animal by-products into Great Britain. In this newsletter: 1. BBTP closure and transition update 2. Tachograph break guidance for drivers 3. Foot and Mouth disease – reminder 4. Useful…
Ben KempApril 11, 2025
Publication of GB mandatory classification and labelling (GB MCL) Agency Opinions The next batch of GB MCL Agency Opinions are now available for download. A GB MCL Agency Opinion formally proposes the GB mandatory classification and labelling for chemical substances, based on the scientific and technical assessment of the scientific data in line with the GB CLP Regulation, together with…
Ben KempApril 11, 2025
WHO issues its first-ever reports on tests and treatments for fungal infections The WHO published its first-ever reports addressing the critical lack of medicines and diagnostic tools for invasive fungal diseases, showing the urgent need for innovative research and development (R&D) to close these gaps. Fungal diseases are an increasing public health concern, with common infections – such as candida,…
Ben KempApril 8, 2025
The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) has set out how it will allocate the record £13.9 billion in funding for transformational research and development in the next year. Areas including life sciences are set to benefit. UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) – the UK’s lead public research funder – will receive £8.8 billion over the next year. However,…
Ben KempApril 8, 2025
It has been a week since BIVDA's Parliamentary Drop-In event on community diagnostics and we have been busy ensuring the key messages from the day remain at the forefront of stakeholders' minds. We’re encouraged by the positive feedback from partner organisations and attendees, who felt that MPs and peers from across the political spectrum were highly engaged with our core…
Ben KempApril 8, 2025
Health workers are to be sent door-to-door in a bid to detect illnesses in deprived areas and reduce the burden on GPs as part of the government's 10-year Health Plan for the NHS. Set to be launched in June, each worker will be responsible for 120-150 households, which they visit once each month to help residents with a myriad of…
Ben KempApril 8, 2025
Following the consultation, which BIVDA responded to, NICE has confirmed that they will proceed with changes to the appeal process for NICE’s technology appraisal (TA) and highly specialised technologies (HST) as outlined in the final draft guidance. For final draft guidance, that guidance now recommends a technology can be used (including as an option or during a managed access period…
Ben KempApril 8, 2025
AI Policy and Practice: What the UK Government’s AI Playbook Means for Healthcare and IVD Innovation
In March 2024, the UK Government published its Artificial Intelligence (AI) Playbook, a clear, structured guide to help public sector organisations adopt AI responsibly, ethically and effectively. It sets out foundational principles, strategic considerations and practical tools for AI deployment in government settings. For those of us working at the intersection of technology and healthcare, particularly with AI-enabled In Vitro…
Ben KempApril 8, 2025
The Wellcome Institute and the UK Government are launching a major new health data research initiative worth up to £600 million. This new service will streamline secure access to health data, accelerating research aimed at understanding illness and enabling the development of better tools for prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. Funded by £100 million from Wellcome and up to £500 million…
Ben KempApril 8, 2025