Source · Select Committees · Science, Innovation and Technology Committee
Recommendation 3
3
Accepted
Paragraph: 41
Consider specific evidence standards for phage safety and effectiveness in UK healthcare settings
Recommendation
We recommend that the Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC), the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) and National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) should now consider what specific evidence, and to what standard, is needed to fully assess the safety and effectiveness of phages to allow them to be used more widely within the NHS and other UK healthcare settings, including over the long term. DHSC, MHRA, NICE and NIHR should engage with phage researchers to establish a dialogue on these issues. The Phage Knowledge Transfer Network established by Innovate UK to bring together phage stakeholders would be an appropriate forum for this dialogue.
Government response summary AI-generated
The MHRA committed to providing non-binding advisory guidance on the specific data needed to evaluate licensed phage products for NHS use. The government also confirmed it will continue to engage with phage stakeholders through the Innovate UK KTN Phage Innovation Network.
Summary of the government's response below — read the verbatim text to verify.
Paragraph Reference:
41
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government · verbatim extract
Accepted
The government will continue to engage with phage stakeholders, including through the Innovate UK Knowledge Transfer Network (KTN) Phage Innovation Network. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) provides the chair for Phage Innovation Network’s scientific advisory board. UKHSA supports the goals of the network in developing phage- based products for use in clinical settings and other sectors, alongside developing links with researchers. The MHRA is working closely with the network to understand how it can support phage research and innovation. DHSC works closely with NIHR and UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) to monitor the research and clinical trial pipeline for antimicrobials and alternative therapies. Where phage research opportunities are identified, NIHR can engage researchers to encourage and support funding applications. The government is developing the 2024 to 2029 AMR NAP. The NAP will set out the government's research priorities, including innovation of new products for tackling AMR.
Read the full response on Parliament ↗