Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency

The complainant has requested information relating to MHRA’s intention to publish interactive drug analysis profiles  (iDAPs) for the COVID-19 vaccines. In particular the complainant asked who the MHRA needs to seek permission from and whether such permission has yet been sought, and, if so, when, or, if not, when it intends to seek it. MHRA explained that the use of the term ‘seek permission’ in the request was incorrect, it explained that decisions of the MHRA are taken by the Secretary of State however it makes relevant bodies such as DHSC aware of when publication will take place. It also explained when publication will take place. The Commissioner’s decision is that MHRA does not hold the information requested under section 1(1)(a) FOIA but breached section 10(1) FOIA as it  failed to provide a response within the statutory time for compliance. The Commissioner does not require MHRA to take any remedial steps.