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ARTICLE · 11 NOVEMBER 2026

MHRA Plans Substantial Increase In Criminal Enforcement Capacity

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The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has announced plans to substantially increase its criminal enforcement capacity, signalling a stronger focus on investigating and prosecuting unlawful activity involving medicines and medical devices. The commitment forms part of the regulator's newly published Strategy 2030, which sets out its priorities for the coming years.

United KingdomCriminal Law
Jonathon Enston
Jonathon Enston
Daniel McGlashan
Daniel McGlashan

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has announced plans to substantially increase its criminal enforcement capacity, signalling a stronger focus on investigating and prosecuting unlawful activity involving medicines and medical devices.

The commitment forms part of the regulator’s newly published Strategy 2030, which sets out its priorities for the coming years.

For businesses operating across the pharmaceutical, healthcare and medical-device sectors, the announcement is significant. The strategy is a policy document and does not itself create new criminal offences or investigative powers. It does, however, signal an intention to devote greater resources to criminal investigations and enforcement.

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