Interview: Ruby Wax

The European Parliament and Council have agreed on the most significant reform of EU pharmaceutical legislation in two decades, fundamentally restructuring the regulatory data exclusivity and market protection framework for newly approved medicines. While the baseline eight-year data protection period remains unchanged, the market exclusivity system has been overhauled with a new modulated approach that reduces automatic protection and requires pharmaceutical companies to complete specific clinical studies

After three years of evidence and testimony, Lady Justice Thirlwall has delivered a landmark report examining how Lucy Letby was able to murder seven babies and attempt to murder six others at the Countess of Chester Hospital. The findings reveal systemic failures in NHS governance, patient safety protocols, and leadership accountability that extend far beyond a single institution. NHS trusts now face fundamental questions about how they prioritize patient safety over reputation, respond to clinical warning

The MHRA has executed its largest-ever seizure of unlicensed weight-loss medicines, raiding a country estate and recovering approximately 12,000 doses including retatrutide and tirzepatide. This enforcement action signals a significant escalation in criminal investigations targeting the infrastructure behind illegal medicines trade, raising critical questions about regulatory compliance and criminal liability for businesses operating in the weight-loss, aesthetics and wellness sectors.

The regulation of non-surgical aesthetics in England is approaching an important turning point. Although there is not yet a comprehensive statutory licensing regime, aesthetics businesses and regulated healthcare professionals already operate within a complex framework of professional, medicines, and product regulation. Further regulation is also being developed specifically for non-surgical cosmetic procedures.

Pharmaceutical companies are exploring microgravity environments to develop improved drug formulations and discover novel crystal forms of medicines. From monoclonal antibody treatments...

A person born on New Year's Day 2009 turns 18 in January 2027. On that date, they will become the first adult in British history who can never legally buy a cigarette.

Aperson born on New Year's Day 2009 turns 18 in January 2027. On that date, they will become the first adult in British history who can never legally buy a cigarette.

The UK Government faces mounting pressure to implement comprehensive regulation of cosmetic procedures following a critical parliamentary report warning of ongoing patient safety risks. With high-risk procedures still being performed by unqualified practitioners in unsuitable settings, the debate has shifted from whether regulation is needed to when it will arrive and how effectively it can be enforced across a fragmented industry.

The National Commission into the Regulation of AI in Healthcare has published comprehensive recommendations that are expected to shape the future regulatory framework for AI technologies in UK healthcare. These recommendations address the safe adoption of AI across diagnostics, medical research, and clinical decision-making while establishing safeguards to maintain public confidence. The report introduces a lifecycle approach to regulation, emphasizing ongoing monitoring rather than just initial approval, a

The UK Government has introduced sweeping reforms to the regulatory framework governing medicines and medical devices through amendments to the Health Bill currently progressing through Parliament. These proposed changes would grant the Secretary of State new powers to establish a licensing regime for medical devices and enable faster regulatory updates in response to scientific and technological advances.