The Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) is the Executive Agency of the Department of Health, responsible for ensuring that both medicines, healthcare products and medical equipment meet appropriate safety and performance standards. The Agency licences all medicines for use in the UK.

The British National Formulary (a joint biannual publication of the British Medical Association and the Royal Pharmaceutical Society) aims to provide doctors, pharmacists and other healthcare professionals with sound up-to-date information about the use of medicines. The most recent edition, BNF47, was published in March 2004.

The Royal Pharmaceutical Society is the regulatory and professional body for pharmacists. It maintains the register of pharmacists and pharmacy premises.

The National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) is part of the National Health Service (NHS). It provides patients, health professionals and the public with guidance on current “best practice”. It looks at individual health technologies (including medicines, medical devices, diagnostic techniques and procedures) and at the clinical management of specific conditions.

In May 2003, the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI) launched a website providing information on the results of clinical trials undertaken by pharmaceutical companies involving UK patients.

Ask about Medicines Week (AAMW) is a national initiative aimed at helping people to understand their medicines and to make the most appropriate use of them. It also aims to encourage health professionals to support patients in asking questions about their medication. The AAMW website provides access to sources of reliable medicines information. AAMW took place during 12th-18th October 2003 last year and is due to take place from 1-6th November 2004 this year.