Medicines Supply Security Committee Inquiry
The Public Services Select Committee is carrying out an inquiry to understand the causes of medical shortages and the ability to predict and prevent medicine shortages that are currently putting significant pressure on the Health Sector.
These shortages impact the direct health of patients and put the NHS, Pharmacies and GPs under increased pressure. The aim of the inquiry is to understand the causes of medicine supply issues and to assess the effectiveness of efforts to predicting and prevent medicine supply issues and minimise patient harms.
Many stakeholders contributed to the inquiry, included DHSC, and the published written evidence that we submitted is here: committees.parliament.uk/writtenevidence/149503/pdf/
For full details on the inquiry please Read more….
Get ready for ICS2 – Important information for traders who move goods into Northern Ireland (NI) by road and rail
Import Control System 2 (ICS2) is the EU’s new platform for submitting Safety and Security declarations, replacing the current ICSNI system for Northern Ireland.
From the extended deadline of 31 December 2025, all hauliers and carriers transporting goods into Northern Ireland by road and rail must use ICS2 and provide additional data not previously required.
Traders should coordinate with their supply chain to ensure all necessary information is available for compliance.
Clinical trials regulations: six-month countdown begins
On 28 April 2026 the most significant update to UK clinical trials regulations in two decades will come into force. Together, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) and the Health Research Authority (HRA) have developed amended regulations that have been shaped by – and will benefit – patients, researchers, health professionals, and industry.
New ABPI Resource: Managing Medicine Shortages
The Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI) has launched a new resource to support understanding and management of medicine shortages in the UK. Despite the various safeguards in place, there are occasions when the supply of medicines does not meet demand.
This new ABPI resource explains the factors behind shortages and provides guidance for stakeholders across the supply chain.
Millions of vaccines to be made in Oxfordshire, and government unveils £50 million fund, in double boost for life sciences
The UK government has further strengthened the nation’s life sciences sector with the official opening of the Moderna Innovation and Technology Centre in Oxfordshire. This state-of-the-art facility is set to manufacture millions of cutting-edge mRNA vaccines, significantly enhancing the UK’s capacity to respond to future health challenges.
As part of a broader strategy to boost the country’s £100 billion life sciences industry, a new £50 million fund is being piloted to attract additional research and development investment.
Moderna’s commitment includes over £1 billion in UK R&D through a ten-year strategic partnership with the government, aiming to drive the discovery of new therapies, create high-quality jobs, and strengthen the UK’s pandemic resilience. The Harwell facility alone will be capable of producing up to 250 million vaccine doses annually in the event of a pandemic, underscoring the vital role of life sciences in supporting the UK’s national resilience.
Industry Placements
Thank you to everyone for the support in establishing and running our industry placements programme. Since last year we have run over 31 placements with more than 155 DHSC colleagues gaining a wealth of knowledge and experience from your organisations.
Please get in touch with supply.engagement@dhsc.gov.uk if you or any of your members are interested in hosting us!
Please get in touch with supply.engagement@dhsc.gov.uk if you or any of your members are interested in hosting us!
Join our Supply Resilience Site!
If you haven’t already, please get in touch to join our Supply Resilience Site. The platform allows you to access important guidance and documents, watch every webinar we’ve ever hosted, and read relevant news stories and blogs from gov.uk and SRD.
