£325 per meeting 22 days/year
About the appointment
Introduction from the Chair
“The CHM serves a vital role in public health in the UK, impacting on the lives of almost every person in the country. It is an honour and privilege to serve as Chair: I learn an enormous amount from every meeting, and it is great to work with excellent colleagues, with such a diverse range of expertise, within the CHM and the MHRA. I would certainly recommend applying for the CHM – your expertise will make an enormous difference.” –
Professor Sir Munir Pirmohamed
Appointment description
Ministers are looking to appoint a new Commissioner to the board of the Commission on Human Medicines (CHM).
Commissioners are required to:
- possess or develop a working knowledge and understanding of the UK Medicines regulatory procedures;
- attend all scheduled and unscheduled meetings of the CHM (and to be present for the whole meeting);
- consider, comment and contribute by drawing on their individual expertise and judgement, as appropriate, on all agenda items and to assist the CHM to frame clear and unequivocal advice to Ministers in accordance with the CHM’s terms of reference;
- be able and prepared to speak on a range of relevant issues and not just on their own areas of specialism;
- provide formal and informal advice to Ministers between meetings when required;
- contribute to and ensure the CHM’s advice takes account of a wider view of risk and benefit, particularly as it is perceived by patients, carers and other members of the public.
Organisation description
The Commission on Human Medicines (CHM) was established in October 2005. Its functions are set out in regulation 10 of the Human Medicines Regulations 2012 (as amended).
CHM is responsible for:
- advising on applications for National marketing authorisations and orphan designations (GB) for medicines;
- considering further representation against its provisional advice in respect of national marketing authorisation applications;
- advising on the need for, and content of, risk management plans for new medicines;
- advising on the impact of new safety issues on the balance of risks and benefits of licensed medicines – e.g. adding warnings, restricting or suspending use of a medicine;
- advising the MHRA and Health Ministers on changes to legal status of marketing authorisations.
The CHM has 17 Commissioners (including the Chair) appointed by Ministers and meets at least 11 times a year. The work of the CHM is supported by Expert Advisory Groups (EAGs) and Expert Working Groups comprising a broad range of experts. The Commission plays a public health role in ensuring medicines are safe, effective and of acceptable quality.
An annual report is produced at the end of each calendar year which is laid before parliament and made public.
A link to the 2020 report is available through the GOV.UK website:
Board composition
The time commitment is approximately 22 days per year, including 11 meetings and any ad-hoc meetings based on need.
Upcoming meeting dates: 25 & 26 September 2025 and 30 & 31 October 2025. Further meetings can be viewed at the following link:
Board meetings are currently held virtually with the occasional face-to-face/hybrid meeting at 10 South Colonnade, Canary Wharf, London E14 4PU.
Regulation of appointment
This post is regulated by the Commissioner for Public Appointments. For more information, please refer to the Commissioner’s website
Person specification
Essential criteria
The Department of Health and Social Care values and promotes diversity and encourages applications from all sections of the community. The boards of public bodies should reflect the population they are there to serve. Boards also benefit from fresh perspectives, and we are always keen to encourage candidates new to public appointments to consider applying for our roles.
To be considered, you must be able to demonstrate that you have the qualities, skills and experience to meet all the essential criteria for appointment.
Candidates must:
- be recognised by their peers and/or be a Fellow of the relevant Royal College in the area of clinical Pharmacology, in particular you must have experience in one or more of the following areas;
- Pharmacokinetics
- Pharmacodynamics
- Pharmacoepidemiology
- Pharmacogenomics
- demonstrate the ability to operate effectively on a national expert scientific committee;
- be a skilled communicator;
- demonstrate the ability to assimilate complex scientific information at short notice;
- demonstrate an understanding of the importance of patient engagement to the work of CHM and MHRA, and their ability to proactively incorporate patients’ lived experience in committee’s discussions.