Office for Life Sciences Bulletin – 19 March 2021
OLS Introduction The Office for Life Sciences (OLS) is a joint unit between the Department of Health & Social Care (DHSC) and Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS). This bulletin aims to keep the life sciences sector up to date on the latest guidance and during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, providing you with information from Government to help your members and networks prepare. If you would like to be added to the distribution list, please email nita.bhanot@beis.gov.uk For any questions on the UK/EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement, please contact euexit@officeforlifesciences.gov.uk
News NEW – To allow the medicines sector to continue to focus on the pandemic, and to protect the supply of medicines to UK patients, the UK Government has introduced a two-year notice period of any changes to the current position of continued recognition of EU/EEA batch testing. This will also provide time for a comprehensive review of the future batch testing strategy for the UK. Continued recognition of EU/EEA batch testing will not be ending on 1 January 2023. For more information, please read the MHRA guidance here. NEW – Following a rigorous scientific review of all the available data, the MHRA has confirmed that the available evidence does not suggest that blood clots in veins (venous thromboembolism) are caused by the COVID-19 vaccine AstraZeneca. This follows a detailed review of report cases as well as data from hospital admissions and GP records. For more information, click here. NEW – Tuesday 23 March 2021, 9:30 – 10:30 AM – The DHSC Continuity of Supply team will run a webinar to update on the supply programme following the end of the transition period, changes to border import controls and batch testing of medicines. A representative from DEFRA will talk through what the changes to SPS products mean and how you can prepare for these changes. To register and attend, click here.