The UK’s Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) on Tuesday announced it will forge closer ties with its Swiss counterpart, Swissmedic, via a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed as part of the 11th Summit of the Heads of Medicines Regulatory Agencies in Interlaken, Switzerland.

After months of discussion, both regulators agreed to a shared approach to complex challenges as well as the promotion of each other’s regulatory frameworks, requirements and processes.

The MoU, signed by Jürg Schnetzer, Executive Director of Swissmedic, and Dr. Ian Hudson, Chief Executive of MHRA, is designed to further the facilitation and exchange of information, which will help make sure the regulators are better equipped to protect the health of their respective publics.

Hudson said in a statement: “Part of our commitment to protecting the health of UK citizens is by creating close ties with international counterparts. Through closer collaboration, we can provide a basis for increasing shared initiatives as well as create a foundation for easier information-sharing.”

In addition to allowing for reciprocal information exchange between the regulators, the MoU will also provide more space for multilateral initiatives.

The two-day International Summit of Heads of Medicines Regulatory Agencies brings together about 75 agency representatives from 23 countries, with the intention of promoting information sharing and improving networking among agencies.

Swissmedic also works collaboratively with the International Council for Harmonisation (ICH), the WHO, the Pharmaceutical Inspection Co-operation Scheme and others. MHRA, meanwhile, recently forged a deal for closer collaborations with India’s Central Drugs Standard Control Organization.