An investigation by the Independent Medicines and Medical Devices Safety Review (IMMDS) revealed that despite past patient safety failings, the response of the health care system has been inadequate, causing avoidable harm. The review highlighted Primodos, a hormone-based pregnancy test that caused birth defects in the 1960s, vaginal mesh devices that harmed many women, and sodium valproate, a drug that can cause birth defects, as examples of this failure.
The review was based on evidence from Professor Heneghan, who published a meta-analysis of oral hormone pregnancy tests, and from Peter Todd, the solicitor acting for individuals who have suffered side effects after receiving the AstraZeneca vaccination. The APPG stated that these concerns go beyond the findings of the IMMDS review and the MHRA is at the heart of these widespread failings.
The APPG outlined serious concerns with the MHRA’s Yellow Card scheme, a system for reporting adverse drug reactions (ADRs), stating that this system is “failing patients” due to gross under-reporting and complexity of complaints systems. They pointed to research showing that many adverse reactions are not reported. The group noted that a significant number of freedom of information requests were not answered on time, investigation found.
Furthermore, the group criticized the “lack of transparency” in the MHRA and called for a “separate, dedicated register for conflicts of interest” for those working in the health care sector. In addition, the APPG accuses the MHRA of “a history of failing patients.”
Finally, the letter was made public just before a clip of a vaccine-damaged person confronted the Prime Minister live on air about the lack of support for those harmed by the COVID-19 jabs. The APPG also criticized the way the MHRA responded when it became clear the AstraZeneca vaccine caused the autoimmune condition Vaccine-Induced Thrombotic Thrombocytopaenia. They also called for more transparency and reform in the MHRA.