The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has announced plans to improve access to medical devices for patients.

It is hoped that the proposals will also boost med tech industrial growth by reducing duplicative regulatory costs faced by manufacturers and instead focuses the domestic approvals route (UKCA) on first-in-market innovative technologies.

The MHRA has published the government's response to its public consultation on future routes to market for medical devices in Great Britain (GB).

The Agency has also said it intends to consult later this year on the indefinite recognition of CE-marked medical devices.

Meanwhile, new international reliance routes will be introduced to allow swifter access to medical devices from trusted regulators in Australia, Canada, and the United States.

Lawrence Tallon, MHRA CEO, said: "Our focus is on ensuring that patients benefit from the earliest possible access to safe and effective medical technologies that meet their needs and deliver significant clinical benefit.

"By reducing regulatory duplication, improving traceability and aligning with international best practice, we are delivering on the Government’s promise to make this the best place in the world to market medical devices and a global leader in life sciences."