Reacting to the Government's response on the Health Select Committee's report into the influence of the pharmaceutical industry, Dr Ike Iheanacho, editor of the Which? publication Drug and Therapeutics Bulletin, said:

"This response does nothing to tackle fundamental weaknesses at the heart of the medicines regulatory system.

"At a time when increased choice in medicines and self-care is an integral part of Government health policy, there must be a truly independent medicines regulator with an unambiguous remit to protect public health.

"As it stands the Government has shirked the chance to tackle the current situation where the MHRA straddles both the interests of the public and industry."

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