The World Health Organization (WHO) has officially designated Health Canada, the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare/Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency (MHLW/PMDA) of Japan, and the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) of the United Kingdom as WHO-Listed Authorities (WLAs), a status granted to national authorities that meet the highest international regulatory standards for medical products.

With these latest designations, WHO expands the growing list of WLAs, now involving 39 agencies across the world, supporting faster and broader access to quality-assured medical products, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).

In addition, the Republic of Korea’s Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) – one of the first regulatory authorities to complete the WLA assessment for both medicines and vaccines in October 2023 – has had its listing scope successfully expanded, now covering all regulatory functions.

“This recognition reflects the deep commitment of these authorities to regulatory excellence,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. “Their designation as WHO-Listed Authorities is not only a testament to their robust regulatory systems but also a critical contribution to global public health. Strong and trusted regulators help ensure that people everywhere have access to safe, effective, and high-quality medical products.”