Welcome interim Chief Executive Dr June Raine

Today the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) welcomes Dr June Raine as its interim Chief Executive.

Dr Raine has extensive experience and knowledge of the Agency’s work, gained in a number of different licensing and post-licensing roles, and has been Director of the Vigilance and Risk Management of Medicines (VRMM) division since 2006. Her extensive experience includes chairing the European Pharmacovigilance Risk Assessment Committee (PRAC) on behalf of the European Medicines Agency for six years.

Dr June Raine commented:

“I am proud to be leading the Agency at this important time. Everyone who works here affects people’s lives – we support patients to make informed decisions about healthcare products that are safe to use and effective. We make a difference to life sciences and public health in the UK – and intend to fully realise the opportunities that the future holds.”

Sir Michael Rawlins, chairman of the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency, said:

“Dr Raine has spent her professional career in the Agency and its predecessor bodies. She is recognised as one of the leading experts in the field of medicines safety, playing a central role in the Agency’s work. I am delighted that she has agreed to act as interim chief executive of the Agency for the coming months.”

Dr June Raine is replacing Dr Ian Hudson, who steps down after 19 years with the Agency, 6 of them as Chief Executive Officer. Dr Sarah Branch, previously Deputy Director and Head of Operations of the MHRA’s Vigilance and Risk Management of Medicines division (VRMM), will take over from Dr Raine as Interim Director of VRMM from today.

Dr June Raine – biography

Dr Raine qualified in medicine at Oxford University, and undertook postgraduate research leading to an MSc in pharmacology. After general medical posts, her interest in medicine safety led to a career in medicines regulation. She joined the then Medicines Division of the Department of Health in 1985, moving to the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency when it was formed in 2003.

Dr Raine worked in several medicines licensing and post-licensing areas, including medical devices, and became Director of the Agency’s Vigilance and Risk Management of Medicines division in 2006. She was chair of the European Pharmacovigilance Risk Assessment Committee (PRAC) on behalf of the European Medicines Agency from 2012 to 2018.