The UK’s medicines regulator has appointed Dr Angela Thomas as vice chair of its Commission on Human Medicines (CHM).
Dr Thomas replaces Prof Ian Weller who retires from the body, which advises the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) on drug safety and efficacy.
“I am delighted to be taking up this new role,” said Dr Thomas. “The Commission plays a vital role in the licensing of new medicines and in monitoring drug safety.”
Dr Thomas is an experienced healthcare professional and currently works as a consultant paediatric haematologist at the Royal Hospital for Sick Children in Edinburgh.
She is also a fellow of the Royal College of Physicians in Edinburgh, a former president of the British Society for Haematology and has been on the CHM since 2005, where she chairs the clinical trials, biologicals and vaccines expert advisory Group.
In her new role she will help lead the CHM regarding the advice it gives on applications for both national and European marketing authorisations. Commissioners also frequently attend the European Committee on Human Medicinal Products (CHMP) meetings as part of the UK delegation.