Health: Products

The Department works with its executive agencies, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) and the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) to counter misinformation on healthcare products. The MHRA regulates medicines and medical devices, with such products subject to strict legal control, and works across the health and social care sector in tackling reports of misinformation. It works closely with the UKHSA’s National Alert and Assessment team and has discussed this issue with the Department for Culture, Media & Sport in the context of the Online Safety Bill.

When the MHRA receives any reports of misinformation, consideration is given to the source of the misinformation and the impact that it is having. Where necessary, the MHRA will contact media outlets to correct any misinformation within their content and works with fact checker organisations to provide authoritative information to help address misinformation.