Authorising new drugs in the UK

[vincentfromyay]

Which body/organisation was responsible for giving the go-ahead to drug companies for a new drug in the UK back in 1998?

 

Which body is responsible now?

 

And what is the criteria for a new drug being allowed on the market?

 

I'm particularly interested in fluoxetine

[Phi for All]

The Medicines Control Agency (MCA) and the Medical Devices Agency (MDA) were merged into the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) on 1 April, 2003. It was probably the MCA who approved drugs in 1998, operating as an agency of the Department of Health.