MHRA updates patient and public involvement guidance

What Changed

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) updated its patient and public involvement guidance on 22 October 2026. The agency added the latest Working Together Agreement and an additional paragraph to the section explaining who can join its Patient and Public Community (PPC).

The PPC brings patient and public perspectives into MHRA policy development and regulatory and scientific work. Established in October 2024, it was previously known as the Patient Group Consultative Forum.

Who Is Affected

The guidance concerns patients, carers and organisations interested in medicines and medical devices. Membership is available through two categories: individual members, described as patients or carers, and voluntary and community sector organisations.

The MHRA does not accept applications from people living overseas. It also excludes professionals currently working in healthcare, social care or public health, and people working in an industry involving medicines or device and technology development and/or manufacturing.

Regulatory and Technical Implications

Members are expected to attend PPC meetings and online engagement activities, contribute lived experience, respect confidentiality and champion patient safety and meaningful involvement. Opportunities include commenting on draft documents and completing surveys that inform the agency’s work.

The guidance addresses participation arrangements rather than announcing new technical requirements for devices. It also describes the MHRA payment policy, which explains when payments and expenses may be offered for involvement activities rather than promising payment for every participant.

Manufacturer Actions

Medical-device manufacturers and their employees should take account of the industry-worker exclusion when considering PPC membership. The community is not described as a conformity assessment or product application route.

Eligible individuals and organisations are asked to complete the relevant Expression of Interest form and read the Working Together Agreement before applying.

Confirmed Dates

The guidance was first published on 15 June 2020. The payment policy section was added on 26 August 2026. The latest revision is dated 22 October 2026; no application deadline is specified.

Official Source

MHRA guidance on GOV.UK: “Opportunities for patients and the public to be involved in the work of the MHRA.”

Https://www.gov.uk/guidance/opportunities-for-patients-and-the-public-to-be-involved-in-the-work-of-the-mhra