The Commission on Human Medicines advises ministers and the Licensing Authority on the safety, effectiveness and quality of medicinal products. It thereby helps control medicine marketing at both a national and European level. It keeps consumers and patients safe by advising on risk management plans for new medicines and helps guide policies for keeping medicine products safe, such as by adding warnings or imposing restrictions. It was established in 2012 by the Human Medicines Regulations, which also set out its functions. Its parent department is the Department of Health and Social Care, but its independence from both the health minister and the Medicines and the Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency is seen as important.
